'Dairies contravening cigarette legislation’

Press, 13 April 1988, Page 3

'Dairies contravening cigarette legislation’

Many dairies, are conI travening legislation intro- , dujced on April ! by sell- ; ing cigarettes to'children ■ under 16, says Action on Smoking and | Health ; (A.S.H.). ; ! The director of A.S.H., Ms peirdre Kent, said that i a girl, I aged 10, had bought cigarettes at 12 but of -2 Auckland dairies visited last week. ’ i , Only 13 of the dairies displayed.* the ( required ! signs and six ’had asked no questions of the child, she said' ■ ■ “It was -pleasing to see ; that the other! six 'who ( sold cigarettes to the bhild , actually [explained to her

that she would have to tell her mother that {she would have to buy them herself next time.”) ' | There { was growing awareness among retailers that it j was; illegal to sell cigarettes to children under 16, said Ms Kent. , i Mi

“Obviously [the Health Department has raised awareness of the issue by its . television: advertisements and by sending! a letter and two signs i to each cigarette! reMiler.” A.S.H. had I told health protection officers at the Health Department of the six dairies which srild ’ to the child with no questions asked, said Ms Kent.

The officers would be obliged to take action on the complaint, she said.

“New Zealand has a unique opportunity to protect children from access to this addictive product; and we : intend to follow up so that the health, protection officers take action.

“It is unfair that honest) retailers who are obeying’ the law should, be penalised while those who have a cavalier attitude get away scot free,” said Ms Kent. , !

The Canterbury branch of A.S.H. has no immediate plans for a survey of dairies.