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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Enforcing law on tobacco sales to minors: getting the question and action right

Douglas C. Tutt
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Health Promotion, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service

B Email: dtutt@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 19(12) 208-211 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB08033
Published: 7 January 2009

Abstract

There is a substantial history of health-related law in Australia, but only recently has this included a significant amount of state regulation pertaining to tobacco promotion, sale and public use. The important question is: under what circumstances do regulation and law enforcement work? Rigorous, energetic, long-term local law enforcement on the supply of tobacco to minors demonstrates success in preventing uptake. A model for success combines education, enforcement and publicity; a model used to some effect in alcohol law. Future directions in regulation might include on-the-spot penalties; ensuring the law is simple and has community support; striving for sufficient resources, enthusiasm and skills; and making the tobacco retail industry pay some of the costs of regulating that industry.


References


[1] South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service. History of Public Health in Australia. Sydney: South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service; DATE. Available from:http://www.sesahs.health.nsw.gov.au/public_health_unit/public_health_history.asp (Cited 10 December 2008.)

[2] NSW Public Health Act 1991 No 10.

[3] NSW Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 No 69.

[4] Ling PM,  Landman A,  Glantz SA. It is time to abandon youth access tobacco programmes. Tob Control 2002; 11 3–6.
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[16] Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Monograph 5, Alcohol and road fatalities in Australia. Canberra: Australian Transport Safety Bureau; 1998.

[17] NSW Liquor Regulation 2008: Division 1.

[18] McKnight AJ,  Streff FM. The effect of enforcement upon service of alcohol to intoxicated patrons of bars and restaurants. Accid Anal Prev 1994; 26 79–88.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | CAS | (Cited 8 July 2008.)