A dairy-owner faces a criminal record with restrictions on employment, business and international travel after being prosecuted by health authorities for illegally selling $1.50 single cigarettes.
"If you break the law... you could be next. That's our message to retailers who are encouraging childhood addiction through illegally trading cigarettes," says Medical Officer of Health Dr Brad Novak from Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).
Retailers face hefty punishments for selling single cigarettes and selling to minors including criminal convictions and fines of up to $5000.
"Outlets selling single cigarettes are making addiction accessible to children through cheap prices. It is too easy for kids to use their pocket money to buy into a life-long nicotine habit for $1.50. They don't understand the consequences of that," says Dr Novak.
"I started smoking at a very young age from the illegal trade of single cigarettes. During the last six years I spent the same amount of money on cigarettes as my $30,000 student loan. Smoking took away my financial freedom," says student Arnia Appleby.