Tobacco And Vape “Mystery Shopping” Operation Shows Crack-down On Underage Illegal Sales Is Paying Off

A recent Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) of 20
tobacco and vape retailers throughout the Far North and
Whangārei districts shows public health efforts to educate
retailers and prevent underage sales are paying
off.

During the operation, underage trained volunteers
(between 14 and 17 years old attempted to purchase tobacco
and vaping products from retailers. The operation resulted
in zero sales from the 20 retailer outlets tested by the
smoke-free enforcement staff.

“The retailers we
tested had very good systems in place and asked for
identification on every occasion, preventing sales of these
harmful products to our rangatahi,” said Smoke-free
Enforcement Officer Zane Jones, from Te Whatu Ora –
National Public Health Service.

“By educating
retailers and helping them implement stronger systems,
we’re ensuring they meet their legal requirements and
aren’t perpetuating the harm these products can cause to
the next generation.”

Public health has been
engaging tobacco and vaping retailers across Northland to
ensure they have systems in place to prevent underage sales.
Retailers are urged to always assess the age of customers by
insisting on a form of photo identification from anyone who
looks under the age of 25. Those who cannot provide photo
identification must be refused from purchasing tobacco and
vape products.

“Despite this, too many young people
are still getting their hands on vapes in Te Tai Tokerau. If
these minors aren’t getting vapes from licenced retailers,
then it means other people are buying them and passing them
on. We’re urging adults to stop supplying vape products to
underage people.”

CPO’s will continue to be
conducted randomly during the year. The tactic forms a key
pillar of national efforts to create a smoke-free Aotearoa
and reduce youth uptake of vaping and
smoking.

November 2023 Northland Smokefree
Operation Statistics:

• 12 Vape Retailers
  visited in Kaitaia, Awanui, Whangārei – NO
  SALES
• 8 Tobacco Retailers visited in Kaitaia, Taipa,
  Coopers Beach, Kaeo – NO SALES

Background
information

Tobacco use and breathing in other
people’s smoke (second-hand smoke) causes about 5,000
deaths every year through cancer, stroke and heart
disease.[1]

It
is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in New
Zealand.[2]

Stopping
smoking completely is the best way to reduce the risk of
smoking related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and
stroke.

For more advice on how to quit smoking go to
this website – https://smokefree.org.nz/help-advice

[1]
Ministry of Health. (2004). Looking upstream: Causes of
death cross-classified by risk and condition, New Zealand
1997. Wellington: Ministry of Health.

[2]
Tobias, M., & Turley, M. (2005). Causes of death
classified by risk and condition, New Zealand 1997.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health,
29,
5-12.

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