Age-restricted product test purchase attempts led by North Lanarkshire Council’s Trading Standards team indicate that most shops in the area are carrying out checks when selling tobacco and nicotine vapor products.
Officers visited 49 shops, with 43 (88 per cent) correctly refusing to sell the age restricted products.
Five retailers sold cigarettes and one sold a vape without verifying the customer’s age.
Twelve of the shops visited sold age-restricted products to a young volunteer during previous test purchase attempts and were being visited again to check they had changed their practices.
One of the 12 retailers broke the law for a second time by selling without carrying out any checks.
Fixed penalty notices were issued to the retailers who sold to the young volunteer.
All retailers issued with a penalty will be retested by Trading Standards. If a retailer breaches the law three times within a two-year period, they can be banned from selling tobacco and nicotine vapor products.
“The outcome of the most recent test purchase exercise is encouraging, showing that the majority of local businesses recognise the importance of verifying a customers’ age before selling tobacco and nicotine vapour products,” Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the environment and climate change committee, which oversees the work of the Trading Standards service, told Lanarkshire Live.
“We know the severe health risks to young people from smoking and nicotine addiction, so we will continue to carry out checks and work with businesses to ensure these products are not sold to under 18s.”
Any member of the public who suspects a trader is selling tobacco, nicotine vapor products, solvents or other age restricted products to under 18s, can contact Trading Standards via the email address tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk to provide information, in confidence.
“Businesses must verify a customers’ age before selling tobacco or nicotine vapor products,” said Michelle McKenna, Trading Standards manager.
“Simply asking a customer how old they are is not enough. Sellers must ask for, and be shown, valid and recognised photo ID, such as a passport, a photographic driving licence or a proof of age scheme approved card, to prevent illegal sales of age restricted products.”
Businesses who would like advice on underage sales can contact Trading Standards by emailing tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
