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TRAINING
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Tobacco Training is it compulsory? Each state has its laws regarding the selling of tobacco and what is required by the retailer. For the businesses that sell tobacco, it is best to be aware of these obligations and remain in contact with the respective government department of any changes in tobacco legislation, including e-cigarettes and vaping. Management must ensure that their business complies with the Tobacco laws regarding: » Signage » Product & Pricing » Advertising Most of these areas, if not followed, may attract costly fines and penalties from their governing authority. The approach regarding tobacco training also differs from state to state, from mandatory to highly recommended. But the same message applies for all states;
By training employers and employees in understanding tobacco laws, mitigates the risk of noncompliance Let us take a closer look at each state approach to selling tobacco and training; Victoria The Victorian Health Department recommends that businesses provide training to every employee every six
mga.asn.au | May 2021 | Edition 3
» Storage and Display » Requirements for licensing (required in some states to sell tobacco) » Training months. Businesses must keep a record of this training. Training must cover each of these things:
• Employees must not sell tobacco products to persons under 18 for any reason.
• Employees must ask for and see
identification (ID) before selling a tobacco product to a person who might be under 18.
• If employees sell tobacco
products to a person under 18, they are committing an offence and may be fined.
New South Wales Tobacco retailers operating in NSW must not engage in tobacco retailing unless they have notified the NSW Ministry of Health that they intend to engage in tobacco retailing.
NSW Health inspectors monitor compliance with the legislation. Inspectors educate retailers and can issue warnings, fines or initiate prosecutions against retailers that break the law. NSW Government Health department approach is for businesses to learn more about their responsibilities under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 and what actions must be completed to comply. This is done through training. The tobacco training is designed for both retailers and their staff to understand and should cover;
• NSW tobacco and tobacco
products non-tobacco smoking products legislation
• E-cigarette and e-cigarette accessories retailing laws
