In a recent undercover investigation, eight retailers in Taranaki, New Zealand were found to be selling electronic cigarette products to individuals under the age of 18.
A recent secret investigation revealed that eight retailers in Taranaki, New Zealand were found to be selling electronic cigarette products to individuals under the age of 18.
The Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service visited a total of 40 locations over two days in August. Carly Stevenson, the smoke-free enforcement officer for the Taranaki Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service, expressed disappointment with the outcome.
Stevenson stated, "Just a few days before the CPO began, public health officials visited some of the retailers and reminded them of their obligations, but they still failed to comply with the law.
It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to children. Retailers must ask for identification if someone appears to be under the age of 25, and the only acceptable forms of identification are a New Zealand driver's license, passport, or valid ID card for those over 18. Retailers who sell e-cigarette products to anyone under the age of 18 will be referred to the Ministry of Health and may receive infringement notices, including a fine of $500 and the possibility of prosecution.
Electronic cigarette products are intended for use by smokers only. However, recent research suggests that an increasing number of young New Zealanders are experimenting with and regularly using e-cigarettes.
We do not want young non-smokers to start using e-cigarettes. According to recent New Zealand health surveys, the number of 15 to 17-year-old young people who use e-cigarettes daily has doubled within two years, increasing from 2% in 2018-2019 to 6% in 2020-2021. Most e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, which can lead to addiction easily. There are still many unknowns regarding the health effects of e-cigarettes, and introducing unknown chemicals deep into the lungs of young people is not a good idea.
All companies that sell electronic cigarette products need to determine their obligations under smoke-free environments and regulated product laws, and communicate this important information to employees," said Stevenson.
Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service has announced that it will continue to monitor retailers who sell e-cigarette products to minors, and will conduct further investigations targeting these retailers.
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