Hawera tobacco retailers get top marks

26 September 2013

“A tobacco Control Purchase Operation was recently carried out in South Taranaki with mixed results,” says Health Promoter Carly Twaddle.

“All Hawera based tobacco retailers who were tested on the sale of tobacco to minors were compliant,” she said.

“This is a huge improvement compared to last year when three Hawera dairies were prosecuted for selling cigarettes to a 16 year old during a control purchase operation.”

Unfortunately, the same did not occur further south as three businesses in Patea and Waverley sold tobacco to a 16 year old volunteer.

“This was a very disappointing result for these small communities. All of the tobacco retailers had been visited by a Smoke-free Enforcement Officer prior to the Control Purchase Operation and warned of the consequences regarding the sale to minors,” she said.

Anyone caught selling tobacco to a minor is liable for a fine of up to $1000.

For more information please call

Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph 021 367 789

Last updated: Thursday, September 26, 2013