Traders Warned Over Underage Tobacco Sales

Source from:  aberdeencity.gov.uk 17/07/08 07/18/2008

Retailers in Aberdeen have been warned not to sell tobacco products to under-18s. Officers from Aberdeen City Council's Trading Standards Service carried out a series of test purchases across the city in the run-up to the school holidays to assess compliance with the law. Using 16-year-old test buyers, officers visited 69 premises ranging from corner shops to national retailers and attempted to buy cigarettes. Of these, 10 sold cigarettes to the 16-year-old. Graeme Paton, Senior Trading Standards Officer said: "This is the largest examination of the tobacco under-age sales law undertaken by Trading Standards in Aberdeen. "While it is disappointing that 10 of the 69 traders (14%) sold cigarettes to 16-year-olds, it is encouraging that as a proportion of sales this represents a fall compared to the project carried out last November when eight out of 29 traders (28%) sold. "I hope this means that the message on tobacco and other age-restricted products is getting through to retailers. "As a result, each trader who sold cigarettes was visited and the findings explained by officers. "They were also warned as to their future conduct. Fortunately, this message got through and no sales took place when the 16-year-olds went back a few weeks later. "Traders need to make sure that they and their staff are trained and know the law with regard to age-restricted products. If in doubt, ask for identification – no identification should mean no sale." Traders requiring advice on the law regarding age-restricted products should call (01224) 523737 and ask for Business Advice. Enditem