#1646_WSLHD_Centre for Population Health_YIR_PP

E-cigarettes illegally on display.

Addressing cigarette and e-cigarette sales to minors The Environmental Health team conducted a review of all e-cigarette sales to minors complaints received from 1 July 2021 – 31 May 2022. Sixty nine percent (25/36) of reported complaints were about retailers selling e-cigarettes within 500 metres of a school or a transport hub. The team geocoded and mapped all retailer locations in proximity of schools and transport hubs. This enabled the team to focus retailer e-cigarette compliance checks in the vicinity of high-risk youth populations. Following on from the mapping, cigarette and e-cigarette sale to minors retailer surveys were conducted in July and October 2022. Sixty two of 64 retailers complied (97% compliance), with two retailers illegally selling e-cigarettes to the young volunteers (13-15 years of age) who took part in the surveys. After the surveys, retailers were provided information on the health harms and related penalties of selling to minors. Prosecution of the two retailers that sold to the minors is pending.

Minors approaching tobacconist as part of WSLHD compliance check.

Legend Sales to Minors Complaints

High

Low

Transport Hubs Primary Schools High Schools

Map showing local e-cigarette sales to minors complaints and school locations.

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WSLHD Centre for Population Health