SUBMISSION TO THE
TASMANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
on
THE DISCUSSION PAPER – BUILDING ON OUR STRENGTHS
Tobacco Control
Public and Environmental Health Services
Department of Health and Human Services
GPO Box 125
Hobart, TAS 7001
email:
To Whom It May Concern:
Re: Proposal 8 – Ban Tobacco Product Vending Machines
I do not support the proposal to ban vending machines in Tasmania. Tobacco remains a legal product in Australia and vending machines provide a legitimate source of revenue for my business.
As a retailer in the hospitality trade, I operate responsibly to ensure that youth do not have access to the vending machines located on my premises, and make sure the correct signage is displayed at my venue. Additionally, vending machines in Tasmania are in adult restrictive areas anyway, well away from the access and view of underage persons.
Implementing a ban on vending machines will have no effect on the ability of minors to obtain tobacco products, as they mainly source the product through family members or friends. Our State already implements controls that stop youth obtaining tobacco products (tokens obtained at the bar or bar operated). We believe the fact that they are in age restrictive areas, and that staff are monitoring/operating the machines, makes this proposal totally unnecessary.
I also do not accept the justification in the discussion paper that the proposed ban will have an effect on the overall smoking rate or stop quitters from relapsing. As individual adults, we all need to take responsibility for our own actions. Blaming a machine for our own lack of will power is not helpful.
The only real quantifiable result from this restrictive proposal would be a movement of sales away from my hospitality venue to convenience stores or other retail outlets operating after normal business hours. Tobacco will still be available in the vicinity of my venue, just not in my venue!
If implemented, my adult clientele may even leave my venue to purchase tobacco products, and then not return to my business or even go to another establishment. This would again result in further loss of sales.
As a responsible, legitimate hospitality provider, which contributes to the broader Tasmanian community, I request that this proposal be rejected, as the only affect it will have is negatively impacting my business and its viability.
Yours truly,
Full NameRobyn Hirst
OccupationHotel Operator
Business NamePrince of Wales Hotel
Address2 Nile Road, Evandale. 7212