Shop owners in North Lanarkshire are being warned of the penalties for selling tobacco and nicotine vaping products to those underage after almost half of those tested in a purchasing exercise failed.
In the recent underage sales test, North Lanarkshire Council’s (NLC) Trading Standards service saw seven sales to under 18s in 16 shop visits – a 44 per cent failure rate.
The service regularly utilises young volunteers to carry out test purchase exercises to check that shops ask for proof of age before making a sale of tobacco or nicotine vaping products.
“This is an extremely disappointing outcome from the test purchase exercise, and one which raises concerns that shopkeepers are letting standards slip on underage sales,” said Paul Bannister, NLC's protective services manager.
“We work proactively with shops across North Lanarkshire to highlight the importance of checking customers’ age when selling restricted products, but where they are not complying with the law, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.”
Businesses have a responsibility to ensure they do not sell tobacco or vaping products to under 18s.
"Most businesses do this by operating a Challenge 25 policy. If a customer looks under the age of 25, proof of age is required, and staff must be trained to verify the customer’s age via an appropriate form of photo ID before selling age-restricted products.
Councillor Michael McPake, convener of the environment and transportation committee which oversees Trading Standards operations, said: “Most shop owners act responsibly and do ask customers for proof of age when they are unsure, but those who don’t face legal action and potentially removal of their license to sell age restricted products.
“The law exists to protect our young people from the severe health risks of smoking and the risk of nicotine addiction, and the council takes very seriously its role in preventing sales of tobacco and nicotine vaping products.”
Businesses who would like advice on underage sales can contact Trading Standards by emailing: tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk
Any member of the public who suspects a trader is selling tobacco, solvents, or other age restricted products to under 18s, can also contact the council at this address to provide information, in confidence.
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