By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK Council has caught a handful of rogue businesses selling cigarettes to minors during a series of inspections over the past six months.
A total of eight traders have been caught red handed during tobacco test purchases conducted in December and April.
Under the council’s underage tobacco sales test purchase program, young people are hired to attempt to buy cigarettes from local businesses.
The underage purchasers are sourced through a recruitment agency that is appointed by the Department of Health.
They are accompanied by council officers during test purchases.
In December last year, the council conducted 12 test purchases, with three premises caught selling cigarettes to a minor.
The most recent inspections were carried out in April, with 32 businesses visited, with five caught selling cigarettes to underage customers.
Proprietors failing to comply with the Tobacco Act face fines of between $200 and $5000.
The council also conducts regular inspections and educational visits to premises to ensure they are displaying correct tobacco advisory posters.
Stephen Sully, the council’s general manager of City Development suggested vendors should request proof of age from anyone who appeared to be under 25.
“It is always disappointing when premises fail to comply with the law, especially as they receive educational visits and information, and should be well aware of the requirements to check the age of persons attempting to purchase tobacco products,” Mr Sully said.
It is illegal to sell tobacco to children under the age of 18 or to purchase cigarettes on behalf of a child.
