| A 15-year-old boy was able to purchase the cigarettes in 86% of premises checked – the worst results Trading Standards officers in Dundee have ever uncovered.
It comes after the minimum age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18 in October.
The routine undercover test purchasing exercise checked outlets from small sole traders to national supermarkets.
George Regan, convener of Dundee City Council’s environmental services committee, said, “I am profoundly disappointed with these results, which show a sad ignorance of the new rules.
“The vital message on under-age sales does not seem to have filtered through to shop staff and retailers don’t seem to be taking seriously the damage under-age smoking can do to young people. I urge shopkeepers and staff to bring their knowledge of the rules up to date and to take a far more responsible position on the sale of cigarettes to children.”
Trading Standards officers have carried out a number of test purchasing operations since 2005 but none have thrown up worse results than this most recent check.
Retailers have been warned if they persist in selling tobacco to under- 18s their details will be passed to the Procurator Fiscal.
Anyone convicted of selling tobacco to someone under age could face a maximum fine of £2500. But campaigners want tougher penalties for shops who fall foul of the law.
ASH Scotland Chief Executive Maureen Moore said effective enforcement of tobacco sales was crucial if under-age smoking was to be tackled seriously. She said, “It is crucial that the law is upheld and ASH Scotland agree with BMA Scotland that a positive tobacco licensing scheme should be introduced so that shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to our children can be effectively penalised.
“A licensing scheme could be used as an enforcement tool so that retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age would not only face fines, but could also have their licence suspended and ultimately revoked for repeated violation.
“This would be cheaper and quicker than the current costly court system and be an active deterrent when it comes to retailers who consistently sell to those under age.”
Public Health Minister Shona Robison has unveiled proposals in the Scottish Parliament which include licensing tobacco retailers.
Dundee City Council is encouraging residents to report, in confidence, retailers they suspect could be selling cigarettes to under-18s on 01382 436217. |
