West Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards section expressed disappointment after more shops were found selling cigarettes to children.
During October, Trading Standards Officers visited 18 shops with young volunteers who asked to buy a packet of cigarettes. Thirteen shops refused to sell to the youngsters but unfortunately five shops did sell a packet of cigarettes to someone no older than 16½.
Councillor Craig McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Corporate Services department said, “Despite a high profile and intense operation by our Trading Standards Officers to dissuade shopkeepers from selling cigarettes to young people there still appears to be a significant minority of retailers who will break the law relating to tobacco sales.”
“Scottish Government data shows that a child who starts to smoke in their early teens is five times more likely to die of lung cancer than someone who starts in their mid-twenties, and 15 times more likely to die of lung cancer than a non-smoker. The Council will therefore continue to take action to stop anyone selling cigarettes to young people.”
Nicky Johnston, Trading Standards Officer, said “So far this year we have found that 28% of the shops we visit are selling cigarettes to underage young people without even challenging the purchaser about their age. Thankfully most of the shops are refusing to sell which is great but we will continue to monitor shops which we suspect of selling tobacco to children. Several cases are currently going through the legal process and we will continue to report the more serious offenders to the Procurator Fiscal with a view to prosecution.”
Upon conviction offenders can be fined up to £2,500. Nicky Johnston warned that shop workers as well as the owners of the businesses can be prosecuted and risk a criminal record and a substantial fine.
As well as carrying out test purchases, Trading Standards is working with the police to give advice to businesses about what to do to avoid committing an offence. It can be as simple as training shop staff to ask for proof of age.
Any business wanting advice can contact Kirsten McCourt at Trading Standards on 01389 738552.
