Ireland: Warnings Issued to Retailers Who Sold Cigarettes to Child in Council ''sting''

Source from:  Derry Now 10/13/2015

A number of businesses in the Mid Ulster District Council area, which includes the former Magherafelt Council district in Co Derry, have been warned after being detected selling cigarettes to a child.

The cautions follow a random test exercise carried out by the new council's Environmental Health Service.

While 17 retailers refused to sell cigarettes or butane gas to a 14 year ole during the exercise, three did sell cigarettes and a further business sold a gas lighter refill.

Commenting on the outcome of the test purchasing exercise, Councillor Christine McFlynn, chairperson of the Council's Environment Committee, said:it was not acceptable to sell cigarettes to children.

She said: "Naturally we are pleased that the majority of the premises involved complied with their obligations under the law, but it is unacceptable for any retailer to sell this type of product to an underage person. When there is any doubt, retailers should always ask to see proof of age, preferably photographic ID. The health of our young people is too important to leave to chance.

"Those retailers who failed the test purchasing exercise this time have all been issued with warning letters". Enditem