Retailers 

As sellers of volatile substances, retailers can contribute to the prevention of volatile substance use (VSU) by limiting the opportunities for products to be obtained for the purpose of intoxication. Reducing access to supply forms an important part of a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing VSU.

Retailers can provide a great service to their community through thoughtful storage and display of volatile substances and exercising their right to refuse sale. This may include storing certain high-risk products out of reach and displaying signs stating the retailer’s right to refuse sale.

In Western Australia, it is against the law to ‘supply intoxicants to people likely to abuse them’, as per Section 206 of the Western Australian Criminal Code which states:

“A person who sells or supplies an intoxicant to another person in circumstances where the person knows, or where it is reasonable to suspect, that that or another person will use it to become intoxicated is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 12 months and a fine of $12 000"

(Western Australian Criminal Code 1913)

Retailer strategy

In 2006, the Drug and Alcohol Office (now Mental Health Commission), in partnership with the Retail Trader’s Association of WA and the Hardware Association of WA, developed a Retailer's Kit and Code of Conduct to guide retailers in the responsible sale of volatile substances. The Code of Conduct is also endorsed by the Western Australia Police Force.

The Retailer's kit aims to assist retailers to:

• identify products that may be misused
• display and sell products in ways that restrict access to and make products less attractive to people who use volatile substances
• identify potential users of volatile substances and those who may potentially supply to them.

The kit contains an information booklet, the Code of Conduct (see below), signage for store use and information posters for staff. 

The information booklet provides retailers with information about the issue of VSU; the responsible sale of volatile substance products; retailers’ legal rights and responsibilities; suggested procedures for refusal of sale to customers; and important contacts for further information and support.

For a copy of the kit, see the Resources page of this website.

As the development of the Code of Conduct was one of the recommendations of the Western Australian Taskforce on Butane Misuse, it is primarily concerned with reducing access to butane products, being one of the most dangerous volatile substances with respect to causing death. However, aerosol spray paints are also included, being one of the more commonly misused volatile substances also containing butane, or similar, as the propellant.

Information and support

For more information about how you can support the role of retailers in preventing the misuse of volatile substances in the community, contact the Volatile Substances Program at the Mental Health Commission or see the Regional response page of this website for any VSU strategies in your area.

If you are aware of a retailer that is displaying or selling volatile substances in a way that is of concern to you, contact the Volatile Substances Program at the Mental Health Commission. For retailers selling nitrous oxide products in breach of the nitrous oxide regulations, you can report it directly to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations Branch (DOH.nangreport@health.wa.gov.au or 9222 6883) or you can report it to Crime Stoppers by phoning 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperswa.com.au. For more information about the nitrous oxide regulations, see The law page of this website.