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They have been reminded that selling cigarettes
to children carries a $6,000 fine for the first offence and
$12,000 for the second offence. The
warning comes after a Department of Health and Human Services
operation on the weekend revealed that 63% of supermarkets,
service stations, newsagents and corner stores sold cigarettes
to minors.
Stuart Heggie, the manager of Environmental
Health says the results are alarming and breach the law.
Mr Heggie says retailers should be aware that
the fines will have a significant impact on business and that
the Director of Public Health is considering the option under
the Public Health Act of cancelling tobacco seller licences.
Mr Heggie says the controlled purchase
operation run by DHHS last weekend in Southern Tasmania targeted
supermarkets, service stations, newsagents and corner stores and
found that 17 out of the 27 retailers were willing to disregard
the law in relation to selling cigarettes to young people.
Mr Heggie says this is unacceptable and
shocking, and legal action will be taken against the offenders
for the alleged breaches of the Public Health Act.
Apparently a Quit Tasmania state-wide survey
last month found that 17% of tobacco retailers did not comply
with the law.
Mr Heggie says retailers need to be aware that
the ongoing surveillance of retailers will continue at all times
and as it is illegal to sell, lend, give or supply tobacco
products to or for use by children, there will be no hesitation
in taking legal action.
The prohibition applies to retailers and to
other people, including parents, who supply cigarettes to young
people.
He says retailers must ask for proof of age
before selling cigarettes to any person, such as a drivers
licence, passport, key pass identification card, photographic
firearms licence or a Tasmanian Government Personal Information
Card.
Mr Heggie says addressing the illegal sale and
supply of cigarettes was vital to reducing adult smoking rates
in the community and the enormous burden tobacco related
diseases place on the state's health system.
He says taking care of young people's health
is everyone's responsibility and retailers should not fall into
the trap of selling cigarettes to minors.
Tobacco retailers who are unsure of any
aspects of the legislation relating to the sale of tobacco
products to children should contact the Public and Environmental
Health Service on 1800671738 or visit
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
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