Vape sellers pass the test
Photo: Sebastian Radu / Unsplash
Vape sellers in Queenstown and across Central Otago have passed the don't-sell-to-minors test with flying colours.
Health officials sent a minor into 19 stores across the region in early January. Not one of them sold a product to the youngster.
"I couldn’t be more thrilled with this outcome and hope our community will be reassured that the majority of retailers are not selling to minors," says Stephanie Bekhuis-Pay, Smokefree Enforcement Officer for Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.
Controlled purchase operations are carried out approximately every eight to 12 weeks and involve a minor entering a retail outlet and asking to be sold a vaping or tobacco product.
They are carried out more regularly when the retailer has been identified as selling vaping or tobacco products to a minor.
The National Public Health Service (NPHS) also runs education training sessions with tobacco and vaping retailers, so that they are aware of what IDs are accepted in New Zealand and talk through staff training systems for ensuring all staff members are aware of their obligations.
"At the end of the day, retailers selling age restricted goods should always ask for and check ID. It’s that simple," says Bekhuis-Pay.
"It’s especially important to empower employees, especially younger employees, to feel comfortable and confident to ask for ID."
As well as Queenstown, the CPO visited stores in Wānaka, Hawea, and Cromwell.
While the retailers are following the rules, vapers themselves could do with a reminder about airport restrictions.
RNZ reported that the number of vapes being confiscated from people's checked luggage at New Zealand airports over the past year has quadrupled.
Almost 10,000 vapes had to be removed by Aviation Security in 2022.
Vapes, e-cigarettes, power banks and wireless Bluetooth headphones must be put in carry-on bags and not checked-in baggage due to the batteries they contain, which can explode, catch fire or leak caustic chemicals.
Queenstown Airport was third on the list of most-confiscated vapes, behind Auckland top and Wellington second.
- If you are concerned that a retail outlet is selling vaping or tobacco products to a minor, please contact Public Health South on (03) 476 9800.
