Supermarkets deny plans to remove aerosol deodorants from shelves
Territorians are concerned about access to aerosol deodorants in the midst of an inquest into the sniffing death of a 24-year-old. Read how the supermarkets are responding.
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Territorians are worried roll-on deodorant will be the only pong-repellent available if aerosols are rolled out of NT supermarkets as a ‘chroming’ or ‘huffing’ epidemic sweeps the country.
Aside from aerosols, those in the grips of addiction are also using nitrous oxide bullets, commonly referred to as ‘nangs’, to inhale noxious substances with the NT News counting a staggering 22 spent cartridges in one carpark area behind a popular Darwin City hotel this week.
Shocking footage recently emerged of a group of young girls inhaling aerosols at a busy Fannie Bay cafe, prompting patrons to attempt to intervene.
One angry aerosol user took to Facebook to allege Coles and Woolworths were “no longer selling men or women body or underarm spray till further notice” (sic) in a bid to reduce access.
But the grocery giants have given no reason to believe the sprays are set to leave the aisles for good.
A Coles spokeswoman said locking aerosol deodorants out of harm’s way had been well-received by its customers and stakeholders.
“Coles is co-operating with local community groups, government, and police to minimise the significant harm that can be caused by the misuse of some aerosol products,” she said.
“Customers seeking to purchase these products can simply ask a team member for assistance.
A Woolworths spokesman said the supermarket was working with its team to address aerosol misuse.
“Together with our suppliers and community groups, we’ve been exploring more practical longer-term solutions that will enable us to safely display aerosol products on the shopfloor,” he said.
Both supermarkets have lockable cabinets for aerosol deodorants – and any other products of concern – in all of their NT stores and some Queensland stores.
Coles also has lockable cabinets in some WA stores.
It comes as NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage closed submissions to the inquest into the death of 24-year-old Ngalarina, who died from chroming last year.
Chroming – and other forms of volatile substance abuse such as petrol sniffing – is dangerous and is linked to a string of tragic deaths in the Territory.
A 12-year-old boy collapsed in Hibiscus Shoppingtown, Leanyer late last year.
NT Police then confirmed the boy was in a critical condition following the incident.
An inquest in 2020 investigated the sniffing deaths of three children.
Another inquest investigated the death of Edward Laurie in 2017.
The 24-year-old died from sniffing petrol, a practice he had taken part in for 10 years before his death.
In 2008, an inquest investigated the death of 12-year-old boy Kenny Malthouse.
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