Tobacco retail display ban – what you need to know
Under new smoke-free legislation, sellers of tobacco must not allow any tobacco product, package or carton to be visible to the public from 23 July 2012. This is likely to require modifications both to the way tobacco products are stored in retail premises, and also to the way tobacco products are handled by staff when making tobacco sales.
Prepare your business for the ban
The Ministry of Health has released guidelines to assist retailers in preparing for the ban. The same guidelines are also issued to smoke-free enforcement officers who will be enforcing the ban. Your tobacco supplier may also be able to assist you with more information on complying with the new law.
The guidelines includes information for retailers regarding the following:
- general principles of the ban
- suggestions for compliant storage options
- practices when making sales and restocking
- use of price and products lists
- signage.
For more information about tobacco control visit the Ministry of Health’s tobacco control website.
Remember, retailers must ensure that the necessary modifications to their premises and practices are in place when the ban takes effect on 23 July 2012.
Smoke-free law changes in effect since August 2011
- An increased penalty fine up to $5,000 for a person or up to $10,000 for your business for sale of tobacco products to people under 18.
- The Ministry of Health can now issue an infringement notice and on the spot fines of up to $1,000 for sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years of age to your employee or you as a business retailer.
- On the spot fines up to $400 for the sale of tobacco products in quantities less than 20 sticks and 30 grams of roll-your-own tobacco to your employee or you as a business retailer.