Shops praised afterage testing

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 in 25 – which was based in Wishaw – sold tobacco without checking the customer’s age.

Protective services manager Paul Bannister said: “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.

“It is an offence to sell these products to anyone under the age of 18, and we provide information and guidance to local traders on their responsibilities. Underage 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: “By ensuring that local shops comply with the rules on under-age sales, we are making it difficult for young people to buy cigarettes and reducing the chances of them smoking. I would like to thank local businesses for their role in dealing with the important issue.”

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

In addition, any member of the public who suspects a trader is selling tobacco, solvents, alcohol or other age-restricted products to those under age, can also contact the council at the same address to provide information, in confidence.