A Coles spokesperson has confirmed the move, saying ‘it takes the whole community to support this issue’.
Coles supermarket has introduced locked cabinets to hold a popular everyday item to help address a growing problem in many communities.
The retail giant has put aerosol deodorants under lock and key at some stores, including Brisbane’s CBD, meaning customers need to ask Coles Service Desk staff for assistance if they’d like to purchase one of the items.
A Coles spokesperson has told 7NEWS.com.au that the supermarket made the step after consulting with police in the hope that it would help “minimise harm” caused by the misuse of aerosol products, also known as “chroming”.
Chroming is a form of substance abuse which sees users inhale the poisonous fumes from glue, paint and household products – including aerosol deodorants – to get high.
The practice has long caused concern with authorities and health professionals, as it can lead to permanent brain damage and is popular among teens in particular.
Many supermarkets in the Northern Territory locked up their aerosol products in 2021 to help tackle the serious issue.
But now a Coles customer in Brisbane has noticed that a CBD store has also made the move.
Sharing on Reddit, the shopper noted that cans of deodorant were in a locked glass display cabinet at the Coles Central store in the Myer Centre Brisbane.
Many Brisbane locals responded to the post, saying that chroming had become a “massive issue” in the city centre.
“Kids have been using deodorant as a cheap way to get high and they usually do it around the CBD. So CBD businesses have been forced to put it behind the glass cabinet to try and prevent it,” said one.
Added another: “I drive a bus in Brisbane. Chroming is a massive issue.”
Wrote a third: “As someone who deals with this on the regular working security for buses, all of them should be locked up like this.”
Coles responds
A Coles spokesperson said it was important for the whole community to address the issue.
“Like a number of retailers, Coles is co-operating with police to minimise harm caused by the misuse of aerosol products,” the spokesperson said.
“A number of our stores now have lockable aerosol cabinets installed, and customers seeking to purchase these products can simply ask a team member at the service desk for assistance.
“We’ve had positive feedback from our customers since we introduced the lockable aerosol cabinets. It takes the whole community to support this issue.”
When aerosol deodorants were put under lock and key at supermarkets in the Northern Territory last year, it’s believed incidents of chroming drastically reduced as a result.
Extracted from 7news
