A sting operation on synthetic cannabis and tobacco retailers in Central Otago this week revealed all were working within the law and not selling to underage smokers.
Eleven premises, one of them the only Central Otago retailer of synthetic cannabis products, were visited in the controlled purchase operation on Tuesday. The operation was carried out by Public Health South and police and involved a 14-year-old volunteer who attempted to buy tobacco and synthetic cannabis products such as K2.
Staff at each business asked the youth for identification and when he was unable to produce any, refused to sell to him.
Public Health South enforcement officer Lynn Grace said it was encouraging to see premises complying with the law and the industry standard and refusing to sell tobacco or synthetic cannabis to anyone under 18. The Ministry of Health is the lead agency on the matter. Policing the sale of tobacco-like products is under its jurisdiction.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw, of the Central Otago CIB said the police appreciated the chance to work with Public Health South ''on the matter of herbal highs to minors, which is an ongoing community issue''.
''We wish to reassure the public of our ongoing vigilance with businesses to ensure they are complying within the regulations of not only the Smoke-free Environments Act but also the Sale of Liquor Act,'' Det Sgt Shaw said yesterday.
