Yesterday, Health Minister Wyatt Creech announced that the Government would give sellers of cannabis pipes and bongs a year to clear existing stocks before implementing a ban on their sale.

However Chris Fowlie, part-owner of the Hemp Store in Auckland and Wellington, said his stores would continue selling pipes and bongs after the year was up.

Under the new law, the maximum penalty for an individual selling cannabis pipes or bongs is a $1000 fine and three months jail, and a $5000 fine and three months jail for body corporates.

Stores had initially been given three months to clear stocks, but the Government has agreed to give them more time - til July 2000.

Mr Fowlie, who is also spokesman for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml), said the law was unworkable and counterproductive.

"We won't comply with a law that we believe is wrong - it will be business as usual for us."

Me Fowlie said the use of pipes or bongs minimised the intake of harmful substances in cannabis, and banning them would not reduce use.

The threat of jail was a concern, he said, but he was prepared to fight the matter in court.

Mr Creech said young people needed clear messages about drugs.

"The visibility and availability of paraphernalia, in particular pipes and bongs, specifically for illicit drug-taking activity, has the potential to send conflicting messages to young people about the appropriateness or safety of taking drugs," he said.

Photo caption: "Chris Fowlie holds smokeless pipes and displays water bongs", with a sign "just say no to marijuana laws" in background.