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Monash To Enforce New Tobacco Laws
1 September 2009
Monash Council Environmental Health Officers will be out in full force ensuring compliance with new tobacco regulations that will be gradually introduced from January 2010.
Additional amendments such as banning smoking in cars carrying a person under 18 years of age will be enforced by Police.
Environmental Health Officers currently conduct routine inspections of premises that sell tobacco products. Inspections carried out after January 2011will change slightly for tobacco retailers as the new amendments prohibit the display of tobacco products.
Breaches made to the Tobacco Act can result in fines or prosecution and stronger penalties will be introduced on January 2010. Council will be able to issue heavier fines for breaches of the Act, such as cigarette sales to minors and smoking in enclosed premises.
Mayor Paul Klisaris said that enforcing the Tobacco Act would lead to a reduction in the number of people smoking and a significant decrease in the health risks associated with passive smoking.
"In Victoria, smoking costs around 4000 lives and $5 billion each year. Adult smoking rates have fallen from 43 per cent in 1987 to 16.5 per cent in 2008 and Council remains committed to helping reduce tobacco consumption," said Cr Klisaris.
The City of Monash monitors cigarette sales to minors through an ongoing test purchase programme to ensure tobacco retailers are complying with Section 12(1) of the Tobacco Act 1987, which prohibits the sale of cigarettes to a person under the age of 18 years. In 2009, 202 tobacco retailers were visited, resulting in 21 sales to a minor.
For more information on Tobacco Laws and enforcement procedures please contact Kylee Soppet on 9518 3624 or email Kylees@monash.vic.gov.au.
Published: 1 September 2009
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