Teenage secret shoppers bust local tobacco retailers

Underage test shoppers conducted 234 inspections of Algoma tobacco retailers in 2014, finding that seven percent of vendors were still illegally selling to smokers under the age of 19.

Sherri Cleaves, manager of Smoke Free Ontario Act enforcement at Algoma Public Health, told a board of health meeting this week that the number of noncomplying vendors is still within provincial  targets.

New retail employees sometimes don't know the rules. Cleaves said.

One hundred percent of inspected tobacco retailers complied with provincial display and promotion requirements, she told the meeting.

Smoke Free enforcement officers visited 385 tobacco vendors, 425 enclosed work and public places and 28 bars and restaurants last year.

Nineteen charges were laid in 2014, seven in 2013 and 17 in 2012.

Under changes to the Smoke Free Ontario Act that came into effect this year, smoking is prohibited within 200 metres of municipally owned parks and sports fields, including spectator seats.

Signs must be posted at all playgrounds advising that smoking is prohibited within 20 metres of playground equipment.

Restaurant and bar patios are now smoke-free and hospitals must have bylaws declaring them smoke-free properties.

(PHOTO: Detail from Newsies at Skeeter's Branch, St. Louis, Missouri. Taken on May 9, 1910 by Lewis Hine)