Media Release

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Swan Hill Rural City Council has recorded a significant drop in the number of businesses who sold tobacco products to minors after recent tobacco test purchasing in the municipality.

Of the businesses in the municipality tested, 20% sold tobacco products to a minor, a significant drop from the 60% recorded during previous tobacco test purchasing in the region.

Council’s Coordinator Environmental Health Melanie Holt said of the 10 businesses tested, the two retailers who sold the tobacco products to a minor had not been previously tested.

“This round of tobacco test purchasing, which was conducted using a different Test Purchase Assistant (TPA), included some retailers that had previously sold cigarettes to a minor during the last round of test purchasing, however this time none of these businesses sold tobacco products to the TPA,” Ms Holt said.

“This shows that an official warning to those who have previously sold cigarettes is enough to deter further sales to minors.”

Ms Holt said although there was a significant drop in the selling of tobacco products to minors during this round of test purchasing, Council would like to see the rate drop to zero.

“Council is hoping to see a continuous improvement in results from the tobacco test purchasing,” Ms Holt said.

“Regular tobacco test purchasing will continue throughout the year, and we would like to get to a point where no tobacco products are being sold to minors.

“Businesses who do sell tobacco products are reminded to ensure they ask for identification from any customer who looks under 25 years of age,” Ms Holt added.

“Managers also need to ensure their staff are aware that selling tobacco products to minors is illegal and that the consequences can result in a fine and/or prosecution.”

Residents who would like more information or have concerns regarding legislation on tobacco sales to minors should contact Council’s Public Health Services on 5036 2333.