Cigarette retailers under spotlight

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 27 May 1992, Page 12

Cigarette retailers under spotlight

"Selling cigarettes and tobacco to children under 16 years of age is against the law, says Clare Van Der Lem, Senior Projects Officer with the Department of Health. "We often hear of retailers who are selling tobacco products to underage children but the Department can't take action until a member of the public makes a complaint to the Director General of Health," says Clare. "Then we can prosecute." "Retailers could be fined up to $2,000," she adds. Tobacco retailers have all been sent a package

of information about their role and responsibilities regarding the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to children under 16 and about the advertisements displayed at their shops. Retailers responsibilities are covered by the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990: • It has been illegal to sell cigarettes to children under the age of 16 years for many years but this Act increased fines to up to $2,000 for doing so. • Since 16 December 1990 signs greater than 250 cm^ which advertise tobacco products

must incorporate a health message. Signs that do not have a health message must be removed or covered. • Signs with a health message can be displayed until 1 January 1995. These signs may not be repaired or replaced at any time. • After January 1995 all signs must be removed. • Failure to follow these laws about signs could lead to a fine of up to $10,000. "Some retailers are not aware that they can have cigarettes and tobacco on display in their shops - they're just not allowed to be seen

from outside," says Clare. Clare adds: "We're also sending each retailer two stickers for their door and till as reminders to their cust^mers."

"It is the general public, the retailers' customers, who can make this law work - by being co-operative with the law and with area health boards," she says. Turnpage 13

Cigarette spot light

Frompagel2 The aim of the Smokefree Environments Act 1990 was to promote the rights of New Zealanders to fresh air. The Act had made smokefree policies mandatory in all workplaces and has severely restricted tobacco sponsorship advertising. It attempts to break the cycle of renewal by creating the first smokefree generation. Department of Health

Health Educator Heather Kizito explains, "Smoking kills about 5,000 New Zealanders every year. With that sort of death rate the tobacco companies need a constant supply of new smokers - and that's our children. Most of today's smokers started before they turned 16 and that trend continues. "Smoking is an incredibly toxic activity. Cigarettes could not be introduced onto today's

market because they would not survive the clinical trials needed," she says. "Fifty Kiwis start smoking every day - they're almost always young, perhaps 12 or 13, and healthy. Many are pressured into smoking by advertising and their mates." Advertising and tobacco sponsorship of sport is aimed at the young and vulnerable, it promises a vital, healthy, mature lifestyle where you are loved by your mates and you feel good about yourself. What if offers in reality is the possibility of lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. "Children see their favourite rugby league star playing in the New South Wales competition (which carries a tobacco company name) and immediately associate something healthy, positive and good with tobacco - a substance proved to be toxic and potentially lethal," says Heather.

"Advertisements in shops bearing the sponsors names and logo subtly reinforce this erroneous message." "In these days of high cost health care people want their tax dollars to go as far as possible. By promoting a smokefree generation we hope to break the cycle of renewal and save millions spent on the hospitalisation and medication for the 5,000 people who die each year from what are largely preventable diseases," she says. "Without smoking lung cancer would be a rare disease."