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Excerpts from Fines increase for tobacco sales to minors

AAP NEWSFEED [06/30/99]

Tobacco retailers who sell to minors face bans and then massive fines under proposed new legislation by the NSW Government.

Under the proposals, fines for retailers who continue to breach the rules will jump from the current average $500 to $22,000 for individuals and $44,000 for a corporation found flouting the law.

NSW Health Minister Craig Knowles today announced that under a "three strikes" policy, retailers found selling to under 18s would first be given a warning with a second offence drawing a two month ban and a third incurring a 12 month ban.

If discovered selling while on a ban, the retailer would then be fined.

The fines would range from $22,000 for a first offence by a retailer to $44,000 for subsequent offences.

Any body corporate convicted of two or three offences after being banned and continuing to sell tobacco could face a maximum penalty of $44,000 for a first offence , and $88,000 for any subsequent offence.

Mr Knowles said the system would complement the "proof of age" card introduced in 1996.

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