Monklands shops hailed for caution in gas refill sales

Monklands retailers have been praised by North Lanarkshire Trading Standards after a recent mystery customer test.

Almost two dozen shops across the local authority area were visited as part of an evaluation into the selling of butane gas lighter refills without asking for proof of age.

Only eight shops of the 21 visited passed the assessment, which consisted of independent and national companies.

But the three indpendent Monklands retailers, who cannot be named for data protection purposes, passed with flying colours.

The shops in our area were visited by an 18- yearold volunteer who was then challenged for ID at the point of sale, unlike 13 of the other North Lanarkshire establishments.

Stores caught selling to under 18- year- olds can be penalised with up to six months in prison as well as a £5000 fine.

And assistant Trading Standards manager Peter Fergie says the Monklands retailers are acting responsibly and looking after their community well.

He told the Advertiser : “Retailers in the Monklands area have been doing great in terms of preventing underage people from buying the product.

“It is an age restricted product for a reason and can cause serious harm to people if abused.

“The Monklands shops should keep doing what they are doing and keep looking after the health and well being of people in the local community.”

Elsewhere in North Lanarkshire, five Wishaw stores failed the test and Paul Bannister, the council’s trading standards manager, claims illegal sales could lead to fatalities.

He said: “Deaths caused by butane, albeit due to solvent misuse, highlight why the product is subject to age restriction.

“All of our retailers know of the age restriction on gas lighter refills and should seek proof of age from anyone appearing to be under the age of 25 in order to prevent sales of such goods to those under it.”