The health service has even offered to assist with the training.

GWAHS population health area manager Dr Tony Brown said that with tobacco killing one in two smokers, selling tobacco products carries a great deal of responsibility. Retailers and their staff are required under the NSW Public Health Act 1991 not to sell tobacco products to people under the age of 18 years.

“Reducing young people’s access to tobacco products is an important public health strategy which aims to reduce the number of young people who take up tobacco smoking, and die as a result of their addiction”, he said.

He said GWAHS regularly monitors tobacco retailers across western NSW to ensure they are not selling tobacco products to young people.

“While results of recent monitoring show most tobacco retailers act responsibly some retailers continue to sell tobacco products to young people,” Dr Brown said.

“Retailers and their employees can face prosecution and large fines if they sell tobacco products to young people and both can incur a maximum fine of $5500 if they have sold tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 years.

“We encourage all tobacco retailers to act responsibly and avoid potential prosecution by always asking for ID if they think a person is under the age of 18 years, and training their staff to always ask for ID.”

Dr Brown said GWAHS is throwing its support behind tobacco retailers, offering to assist with staff training.

Environmental Health staff will provide an education session at staff meetings in an effort to update retailers and their employees about their responsibilities when selling tobacco products.

For more information, phone 6841 5569.