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Scotland: 86% of shops selling tobacco to under-18s

It has emerged that more than four out of five Dundee shops visited during an undercover sting have been found selling tobacco to children.

A 15-year-old boy was able to purchase the cigarettes in 86% of premises checked, the worst results Trading Standards officers in Dundee have ever uncovered.

George Regan, convener of Dundee City Council’s environmental services committee, said, “I am profoundly disappointed with these results, which show a sad ignorance of the new rules."

“The vital message on under-age sales does not seem to have filtered through to shop staff and retailers don’t seem to be taking seriously the damage under-age smoking can do to young people. I urge shopkeepers and staff to take a far more responsible position on the sale of cigarettes to children.”

Retailers have been warned if they persist in selling tobacco to under- 18s their details will be passed to the Procurator Fiscal.

ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said, "Effective enforcement of tobacco sales was crucial if under-age smoking was to be tackled seriously. It is crucial that the law is upheld and ASH Scotland agree with BMA Scotland that a positive tobacco licensing scheme should be introduced so that shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to our children can be effectively penalised."

“A licensing scheme could be used as an enforcement tool so that retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age would not only face fines, but could also have their licence suspended and ultimately revoked for repeated violation.

“This would be cheaper and quicker than the current costly court system and be an active deterrent when it comes to retailers who consistently sell to those under age.”

Source: The Evening Telegraph, 4th June 2008
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