The opening this week of a tobacconist business next door to Wangaratta West Primary School has raised concerns within the school community.
Replacing the West End Café and Convenience Store which previously operated in the Phillipson Street location, the new store signposted as 'Convenience and Tobacconist' opened on Monday.
Manager Charley Mousha said the store was not yet offering tobacco, as it awaited a licence expected to be approved in early 2026, and was currently selling confectionery, drinks and some groceries.
Wangaratta West parent and former assistant principal Xavier Norden said he was concerned about the location of the store next to a school of 500 young students.
"The placement of tobacco advertising right next to a wall of brightly-packaged lollies is particularly troubling - a tennis ball throw from the school's vegetable garden," he said.
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"Primary-aged children are highly impressionable; research shows that young people model their attitudes and behaviours on what they see around them - what psychologists call social learning.
"When tobacco products are normalised and displayed alongside lollies, it blurs the boundary between harmful substances and harmless treats.
"This creates a dangerous association for children at a formative age, when their understanding of health, safety, and social norms is still developing.
"I support local small businesses, however we would never accept alcohol or gambling promotions at a school gate; the same standard must apply to tobacco.
"The health and wellbeing of our children should always outweigh commercial interests."
Mr Mousha said, despite some concerns expressed, the store did not stock or sell vapes.
He said tobacco was not yet on sale pending the licence, and only tobacco papers were currently available at the store, though items including lighters, ash trays and pipes are displayed for sale on and near the counter.
Mr Mousha said the owners of the new business also operated a store in the Melbourne suburb of Gladstone Park, which was located close to a primary school and a high school.
He said while there had been initial fears expressed by those school communities about the proximity of tobacco sales, the store's owners had worked to allay fears, and hoped to do the same in Wangaratta.
"We want to be family-friendly; we're stocking lots of famous lollies kids would see on Tik-Tok, and are also looking to get acai (soft serve) ice-cream, which is really popular," he said.
"We're prepared, with no smoking signs, to ensure people don't smoke (in front of the store), and we are 100 per cent happy to work with the community.
"We'd encourage people to come and talk to us anytime."
Mr Mousha said the business was keen to ensure safety, and had cameras and other measures in place or on the way to protect the store and its surrounds.
The Rural City of Wangaratta was contacted for comment about the store, and the Wangaratta Chronicle was told that an application to council was not required, as the building has previously operated as a convenience shop or small supermarket.
Council has no decision-making role relating to the sale of tobacco and related products.
A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said under Victoria's tobacco licensing scheme, retailers and wholesalers would need to have applied for a licence by February, when enforcement begins.
"After this time, anyone selling tobacco without a licence faces tough penalties, including fines of up to $170,000 or five years' jail for individuals, or $850,000 fines for corporations," the spokesperson said.
"Licences will only be granted to fit and proper people who pass a strict suitability test, with Tobacco Licensing Victoria able to refuse a licence based on a person's history or known associates.
"The regulator works closely with Victorian Police to ensure licensees are suitable, and can impose additional licence conditions to prevent the illicit supply of tobacco."
Under Victoria's Tobacco Act, smoking and vaping is banned on the grounds of, and within four metres of entrances to, primary and secondary schools, childcare centres, kindergartens and preschools.
