Carried out by smokefree enforcement officers, CPOs — alongside other compliance and monitoring work — aim to ensure that vape retailers are aware of their obligations under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
The National Public Health Service’s medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said CPOs were carried out regularly to protect young people from the harmful effects of vaping and smoking.
"Our most recent CPO in Timaru involved an under-age volunteer aged 16. Twenty-one retailers were visited, with one retailer failing the CPO and selling to the young person.
"This sale has been referred to the Ministry of Health to consider further action.
"While we aim for zero sales, this result does show the vast majority of retailers in South Canterbury are upholding their responsibilities and obligations under the Act.
"However there is still room for improvement and we will continue working with the sector to prevent minors from being able to purchase vaping and tobacco products."
