LICENSED PREMISES FAIL TOBACCO TEST

[Kintyre Forum News]

LICENSED PREMISES FAIL TOBACCO TEST

During August 2009, Argyll and Bute's Trading Standards service conducted a survey using a volunteer 16 year old test
purchaser to buy cigarettes from vending machines.

The legal age for buying tobacco is 18.

The survey was carried out in response to the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill now progressing through the Scottish Parliament, which proposes the banning of cigarette vending machines.

During the survey, 24 licensed premises were visited across Argyll and Bute. Despite the increase from 16 to 18 years of age for the sale of cigarettes in 2007 the results were alarming, with sales of cigarettes being made at 23 of the 24 premises.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee, said: “It is important that retailers act upon this survey. It is against the law to sell cigarettes to people under 18 years of age, and licensees have the same responsibility as other retailers when it comes to refusing sales and obeying the law.

“It is vital to ensure that access to tobacco products is restricted and that staff are fully trained to challenge young people for proof of age.

“We recognise that this is not always straightforward, and to help retailers we have followed up the test purchasing exercise with advice visits to support businesses comply with the law.

“The onus is on them to place vending machines where staff can see them, and to train their staff to be on the lookout for youngsters trying to use them. Traders who persistently break the law will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal."

All of the premises revisited have demonstrated a desire to comply with legal requirements placed upon them in relation to the selling of tobacco and tobacco products.

Whilst accepting that vending machines cannot be monitored 100% of the time, the premises have promised to take measures to avoid making prohibited sales in the future including:

· Removal of the machine from the premises.

. Repositioning of the machines.

· Increasing staff awareness.

· Converting the machines to remote control operation.

Of particular interest is the innovation of converting vending machines into remote control units. This ensures that the person attempting to purchase cigarettes has to speak to a member of staff who can then assess their age before authorising the sale.

In addition to the proposed measures, each of the premises will be given formal notification of their obligations not to sell tobacco or tobacco papers to people under the age of 18. Furthermore, the premises have been notified that another survey will be conducted in the near future.

[SteveJones]

This is happening quite a bit now, I think a lot of shop keepers (Especially down in Birmingham) are ignoring the age limits...

Happens all the time with drink etc, they will get caught out soon enough, but seems to be a nationwide problem...

Steve

[bill]

This has always gone on.Back in the sixties Noel's the tobacconist on Longrow South would sell single cigarettes to early teens.

[jdcarra]

This has always gone on.Back in the sixties Noel's the tobacconist on Longrow South would sell single cigarettes to early teens.

I must admit to being one of them teens,a penny cig for a wee puff behind the school tech dept .

Gave up the habit coming on 30 years now .

[EileenH]

This has always gone on.Back in the sixties Noel's the tobacconist on Longrow South would sell single cigarettes to early teens.

This was happening there in the ninties never mind the sixties!

[hugh]

This has always gone on.Back in the sixties Noel's the tobacconist on Longrow South would sell single cigarettes to early teens.

And you could get "a coke and a single" in the cafes.

[Beachcomber]

I've never been a smoker myself but I remember many a time being sent round the street to the Co-Op with a note from my mum to buy a packet of Players for her.

[£3.73]

What's everyones take on all these pub laws ?
Where do you see it all leading ?
Why is it happening ?
Are you happy about it ?