11 December 2007
Speaking the day the Tobacco Alliance launches an initiative at the Scottish Parliament on tobacco sales [Tuesday 11 December], Maureen Moore OBE, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said only licensing tobacco sales could really tackle the rogue traders who sell to people under age and protect responsible retailers.
Commenting Mrs Moore said:
“ASH Scotland support the government’s No ID No Sale policy for all age restricted goods and are delighted that responsible retailers are trying to encourage their colleagues to adopt it, as it is clear at the moment there is still a major problem with underage sales.
“Test purchasing exercises that have been carried out around the country since the minimum purchase age for tobacco rose to 18 in October, show that a third of shops are still selling tobacco to those underage. Yet only three reports were sent to the procurator fiscal as traders often have to be caught more than once selling to underage people before the ultimate sanction of a fine through the courts is imposed. This is costly and time consuming and only seventeen court prosecutions have taken place since 2000.
“There will always be rogue traders who peddle cigarettes to young people and do not ask for ID and it is them we need to tackle through effective enforcement of the law. Therefore we need to introduce a positive system of licensing tobacco sales in Scotland. This would act as an active deterrent as well as a penalty for retailers who sell to those under age. It would also protect responsible retailers as those who are selling to under age could have their license to sell tobacco suspended or revoked. A positive licensing scheme would also cover mobile traders and premises with vending machines and mean a register of all traders was available to trading standards officers to help with enforcement and awareness work.
“ASH Scotland urges the Scottish Government to introduce a positive licensing system for tobacco sales as part of its new smoking prevention plan due to be published next year. We need to support responsible retailers by ensuring the enforcement tools are available to trading standards officers to tackle rogue traders and positive licensing will do just that”.
Maureen Moore is available for interview.
ENDS
For further information please contact: ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 during office hours and 0777 614 2299 at other times
Notes to Editors:
1. ASH Scotland is the leading voluntary organisation campaigning for effective tobacco control legislation in Scotland.
2. To arrange an interview with Maureen Moore, please contact ASH Scotland.
3. The results of the 2006 national SALSUS, published in May 2007, showed 82% of 15 year old regular smokers reported buying cigarettes from shops.
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