Three business staff members in Wyndham fined $727 each for illegal cigarette sales
Wyndham City has cracked down on businesses selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes to under-aged consumers
64 onsite educational visits were made by Wyndham City officers who provided information to 180 businesses ensuring staff were adequately trained on tobacco laws. Training records were also inspected to ensure the documents were kept up to date.
Between January and May 2022, 16 tobacco and e-cigarette retailers were randomly tested as part of Wyndham’s ongoing commitment to prevent the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 18.
The Wyndham City operation was part of it’s commitment with the Municipal Association of Victoria, to undertake tobacco safety related activities such as test purchases for tobacco retailers.
Tobacco control activities are usually included in the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans that each council is required to develop as a requirement of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
Under cover test agents visiting local businesses and retailers were under instruction to purchase tobacco products including vapes while lying about their age and told not to present any form of fake id during the process.
The resulting test purchases saw three businesses selling tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 and staff were fined $727 each.
Wyndham City Mayor Cr Peter Maynard told Wyndham TV it’s important that when it comes to something as serious as selling tobacco or e-cigarettes to a minor, that Wyndham businesses are on the same page in protecting the health of our community.
“While it was encouraging that most businesses complied with the law, it is disturbing that cigarettes or e-cigarettes were still being sold to those under the age of 18.” said Cr Maynard
“The outcome of these visits and this testing process can serve as a reminder to all Wyndham businesses about how vital it is to provide effective training of tobacco laws to staff, and the requirement on asking for identification when selling tobacco,” he said.
The recent crackdown serves as reminder for local businesses in Wyndham to continue educating staff members of the importance to request identification or proof of age when selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Legislation governing tobacco products and smoking continues to contribute to the decline in smoking rates in Victoria and to a growing awareness of the harms associated with smoking.
Smoking is estimated to cost around 4,000 lives and $2.4 billion in direct health costs and lost productivity annually in Victoria
What is acceptable evidence/proof of age?
- Australian driver licence
- Victorian learner permit
- Victorian marine licence
- Foreign driver licence in the English language or accompanied by an official English translation
- Victorian proof of age card or an equivalent from another state or territory of Australia
- Keypass card (including digital keypass )
- Australian or foreign passport
