The City of Casey has caught six tobacco retailers selling cigarettes to minors (a person under 18 years), as part of a test purchasing program undertaken by council’s Environmental Health Team.
These results are a substantial increase compared to previous years, with two sales recorded in 2017 and three sales in 2016.
Retailers and person’s selling tobacco to a minor who are found to be breaking the law risk receiving infringements ranging from $645 to $9671, prosecution in a magistrates court and/or a fine ranging from $19,343 to $96,714 and the loss of their right to sell tobacco.
City of Casey Mayor Councillor Geoff Ablett said that council’s Environmental Health Officers undertake routine tobacco test purchasing across the municipality, specifically targeting tobacco licenced premises and other venues to ensure strict compliance with the Tobacco Act 1987.
“It is important to build an awareness with our retailers, so they understand that not only is selling cigarettes to a minor breaking the law, but also that eight out of ten new smokers start as a child and are fifteen times more likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers,” Mr Ablett said.
“All that retailers have to do to comply with the act is to ask a person for proof of age before selling to someone.
“We were pleased to find that 13 retailers approached during the program did not sell cigarettes to minors and were compliant with the act.”
Tobacco retailers are encouraged to review the tobacco retailers guide and resources available on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) tobacco reform website to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities when selling tobacco in Victoria.
People concerned about retailers selling to minors should contact council on 9705 5200 or the DHHS Tobacco Information Line on 1300 136 775.
Information on tobacco laws is available at www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms.
DHHS provide funding to councils, via the Municipal Association of Victoria for this program.
The Tobacco Test Purchasing Program is conducted by council’s Environmental Health Services contractor, Kernow Environmental Services P/L.
