A controlled purchase operation targeting synthetic cannabis retailers in Mosgiel and Dunedin resulted in no sales to an underage volunteer last week.
Fifteen stores were visited by a volunteer who did not carry any identification, with no retailers selling synthetic cannabis product to the underaged participant.
''Public Health South are encouraged that all retailers visited refused to sell herbal smoking products to the volunteer,'' Southern District Health Board service manager public health service Stephen Jenkins said.
The DHB regularly visited retailers of tobacco and synthetic cannabis products to educate them on responsibilities under the Smokefree Environments Act 1990, which bans the sale of those products to people under the age of 18, he said.
Public Health South conducted about four or five controlled purchase operations each year, which involves testing retailers on the sale of tobacco and synthetic cannabis products.
''Extra controlled purchase operations may be conducted if there are high levels of concern and complaints in the community,'' he said.
This week, an undercover Dunedin police officer also visited dairies, and found one store selling synthetic cannabis in resealable bags.
That Dunedin dairy owner had been formally interviewed and the incident referred to health officials for possible prosecution.
