Trading Standards Officers Delighted By Tobacco Tests

May 6 2008 By Chris Clements

LOCAL traders have been praised by Trading Standards following the most recent tobacco test purchase exercise across Lanarkshire.

Trading Standards officers were happy when all traders visited by teenage volunteers refused to sell tobacco products without proof of age. In total, twelve attempts to buy cigarettes were made by the 15 year-olds.

This latest exercise comes after similar operations in January and December, during which officers found that a handful of traders sold tobacco products to the young volunteers.

However, Trading Standards officers were pleased that all stores passed the test this time around. And Trading Standards have confirmed that further test purchase operations are planned for the near future.

Dave Roderick, Trading Standards Manager, said: “The results make for better reading and I am satisfied that traders are taking their responsibilities seriously by asking for identification when in doubt over the age of the customers.”

Helen McKenna is the Convenor of North Lanarkshire Council’s Environmental Services Committee, which oversees Trading Standards matters. She noted that local traders seem to be “accepting that they and their shop staff should systematically ask for proof of age.”

She added: “By continuing this attitude we can help prevent many youngsters taking up smoking.”