Shoptestexercise

North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards officers have praised local shop owners for their compliance with the rules prohibiting tobacco and nicotine vaping product sales to under-18s.

In a test purchasing exercise in August, only one business, based in Wishaw, in 25 sold tobacco without checking the customer’s age.

“This is a very positive result and shows clearly that the majority of shop owners are carrying out the appropriate checks on the age of anyone trying to buy cigarettes, tobacco and vaping products,” said Paul Bannister, protective services manager.

“It is an offence to sell these products to anyone under the age of 18.

“Under age sales carry a penalty of a £200 fine and/ or removal of their licence to sell tobacco.”

Trading Standards Officers regularly carry out test sales exercises across North Lanarkshire to ensure that shop staff ask for identification to check the customer’s age before making a sale.

Councillor Michael McPake said: “The council works closely with NHS Lanarkshire to discourage young people from taking up smoking.

“A d d i t i o n a l l y , it is important to have systems in place to prevent young people from becoming nicotine dependent.

“By ensuring that local shops comply with the rules on underage sales, we are making it difficult for young people to buy cigarettes and reducing the chances of them smoking.”

Businesses who would like advice on underage sales can contact Trading Standards on tradingstandards@ northlan.gov.uk.

Any member of the public who suspects a trader is selling tobacco, solvents, alcohol or other agerestricted products to those under age, can also contact the council at the above email address.