Tobacco compliance checks reveal positive results in South Taranaki

Recent tobacco compliance checks in South Taranaki have indicated that 96 percent of retailers from Eltham to Waitotara were operating in compliance with the Smoke Free Environment Act and did not sell tobacco products or herbal smoking products to minors.

Carly Twaddle, Taranaki DHB’s Smokefree Enforcement Officer said, “This is an extremely positive result as in the past there has been multiple retail failures resulting in infringement fines."

The Smokefree Environment Act states it is illegal for retailers to supply tobacco products or herbal smoking products to a person younger than 18 years.

“Taranaki DHB carries out regular checks throughout Taranaki using volunteers under the age of 18. All previously non-compliant tobacco retailers were found to be compliant in this round of checks and this is a great result for South Taranaki,” said Miss Twaddle.

If a retailer is found to be selling tobacco products to someone under 18, it is the Ministry of Health’s policy to either issue an infringement notice in the form of a warning or a fine, or to prosecute in appropriate cases.

“Smokefree Enforcement Officers report compliance check results to the Ministry of Health with recommendations regarding warnings and fines. The maximum penalty for breaking the law can be up to $10,000,” commented Miss Twaddle.

“In this instance the one non-compliant retailer was issued with a formal warning as this was the first time the retailer had been found to be non-compliant,” added Miss Twaddle.

For more information about the Smokefree environments act, visit the Smokefree Website or if you have a complaint relating to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 or Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2007, contact the Smokefree Enforcement Officer at Taranaki DHB on 06 753 7798.

ENDS

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