The move by six Mitre 10 and Mitre 10 Mega stores to refuse sales of butane-based solvents to people under the age of 18 has been applauded by the New Zealand Drug Foundation and Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean, who last week released a hard-hitting report on huffing-related deaths.
The report said of the 63 people who had died in butane inhalation-related incidents in New Zealand since 2000, 24 were under the age of 17 and 55 were under 24.
Following the death of Poihaere Eru (17) from suspected butane huffing in a Christchurch park last month, Ferrymead Mitre 10 Mega store manager Tony Franc decided to "take some action" by age-restricting the sale of butane products.
"We just wanted to do something to make sure that we weren't selling to the wrong people."
A new till system was implemented, prompting staff to check customers' proof of age and intended purpose for butane products, and signage highlighting the new policy was placed near the products. Mr Franc said at least five other stores in the Mitre 10 co-operative in Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Wanaka and Dunedin had since adopted the policy.
Judge MacLean said the initiative was a "marvellous development" which should be encouraged.
He said there were two ways forward in the debate over the sale of butane products - regulation or voluntary compliance - and while the jury was still out on whether action taken by retailers would be effective, he would "watch it with interest".
New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell also praised the action taken by the Mitre 10 managers and said he expected more big chain stores to follow suit.
"I think it's because they recognise their responsibility as being a key part of the community to help keep that community safe," he said.
"I also think they don't want to be the shop that sold the can that killed the teenager."
Imposing age restrictions was the easiest approach for retailers because of existing government regulations prohibiting the sale of spray-paint cans to people under the age of 18.
"Trying to ban them [butane-based solvents] or put tighter controls over them by changing the law is always going to be difficult so in lieu of changing the law, having retailers put in their own voluntary codes of practice is a welcome sign that retailers understand that they are selling products that can be abused."
Placemakers chief executive John Beveridge said it was considering an age restriction which would apply to butane as well as spray paint cans, while Bunnings marketing manager Valerie Staley said the home improvement company was reviewing its policy.
Supermarket chain Countdown was looking at placing age restrictions on all dangerous products, spokesman Luke Schepen said.
Foodstuffs was also reviewing its policies, group communications director Antoinette Shallue said.
The Drug Foundation last week launched new website www.volatilesubstances.org.nz to raise community awareness of inhalant abuse.
