Office of Tobacco Control says rates of refusal to sell tobacco to minors are at an unacceptably low level

New research published today (Thursday, 27 March) by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) shows that children have a high chance of purchasing cigarettes through shops and licensed premises.  The research found that almost one in two shop retailers and two in three licensed premises were willing to sell cigarettes to children aged under 18 years of age.  The report, Tobacco Control and the Irish Retail Environment, was launched in the Royal College of Physicians by the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD.

The OTC commissioned TNS mrbi to conduct research on the tobacco retailing environment in Ireland in relation to the implementation of sales to minors legislation, the extent of tobacco advertising at point-of-sale and public attitudes towards tobacco advertising.
Among the key findings in the report are:
• Nationally, 48% of shops were willing to sell cigarettes to underage youth with 52% refusing the sale;
• 64% of minors were not prevented from buying cigarettes from a vending machine in licensed premises;
• 54% of premises with token operated cigarette vending machines prevented children from buying cigarettes against 32% of premises with coin operated machines.
• 47% of shops and 30% of licensed premises asked the children for ID;
• 91% of minors who were asked for ID were refused the sale;
In terms of tobacco advertising and public attitudes:
• 92% of stores visited had some form of tobacco advertising on display;
• 45% of all stores surveyed had confectionery displayed beside the tobacco display;
• 78% of survey respondents, including 80% of smokers, support a complete ban on all tobacco advertising in stores to prevent young people from starting to smoke; 
• Eight out of ten people think establishments that sell cigarettes should be licensed. 

Launching the report, Minister Harney stated

“Children see tobacco almost invariably occupying the most prominent display space behind the counter of retail supermarkets, shops, newsagents and petrol stations. It is placed among a whole range of familiar products in these shops creating the impression that tobacco is much more socially acceptable and commonly used than is really the case.

The Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 also contain important provisions limiting the display and advertising of tobacco products in shops.  The aim of these provisions is to further de-normalise tobacco and to protect children from the dangers of tobacco consumption.

I intend to announce a date for commencement of these provisions shortly.

The OTC report being published today shows that we have significant progress to make in reducing access to tobacco products through the retail environment.
Legally retailers are obliged to take reasonable efforts to satisfy themselves to a person’s age. EHOs are actively enforcing this law and retailers who sell a tobacco product to a person under 18 are open to prosecution.”

Speaking on the report, Éamonn Rossi, OTC Chief Executive, stated that refusal rates are at an unacceptable level and called for increased compliance with the law.

“In this context, Environmental Health Officers of the HSE enforce tobacco laws in Ireland. The HSE has committed to focussing their efforts with extensive test purchasing programmes across all regions in 2008.

“Best practice shows that very high compliance rates are necessary to impact sales to minors. This report highlights a strong and clear correlation between the willingness of retailers to ask for ID and their refusal to sell, with 91% of minors who were asked for ID being refused sale. It is therefore imperative that retailers and their staff take responsibility and ask all young people for proof of age ID.”
Mr. Rossi said that the OTC is undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at raising compliance with the law, including:
• Provision of signage and information resources to retailers;
• Training DVD with information on the law for people who work in the retail trade.

Regarding tobacco point-of-sale advertising, Éamonn Rossi explained that the report indicated very high levels of public support for banning all forms of tobacco advertising and marketing. 
“A massive 78% of respondents in this survey support a complete ban on all tobacco advertising in stores to prevent young people from starting to smoke.”

To register complaints about retailers/licensed premises selling to under 18s, Lo-call 1890 333 100.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• Section 45 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 makes it an offence to sell a tobacco product to a person under 18 years of age.

• A person guilty of an offence under section 45, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both

• Enforcement of the legislation comes within the remit of the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) of the HSE.