Most traders ‘heeding fireworks and fags laws’

Nov 13 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A NORTH Lanarkshire trader has been caught selling fireworks to an underage youth.

The incident took place when underage volunteers took part in an undercover operation conducted by the council’s trading standards team.

One retailer out of 45 ruined the otherwise perfect operation by selling fireworks to a 15-year-old volunteer.

Councillor Helen McKenna, convenor of the environmental services committee that oversees Trading Standards matters stated: "This is good news and we are pleased with the outcome.

"Last year one retailer out of 27 sold fireworks to an underage volunteer and those involved received a formal warning because it was their first offence. The same outcome this year round at least shows that the vast majority of traders are taking the proof-of-age message to heart."

Dave Roderick, Trading Standards Manager, said: "We are determined to deal with the problem.

“At this time of the year our officers pay particular attention to the safe storage of fireworks because they are explosives! “We work closely with police colleagues and retailers to deal with the issues of safe storage and underage sales. One retailer is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for reckless, dangerous storage of his firework stock."

Dave added: "The results of the test purchases carried out by my officers show that retailers are listening to us and operating within the law. I am particularly pleased that traders have begun to ask for proof of age rather than trying to make a judgement call when confronted by young customers and this is what we have been advocating for a number

of years. It is a pity that we had to prohibit sales from one outlet who put their staff and the community at risk."

Also during the test purchase period six attempts to buy tobacco ended with two sales to the young volunteers.

Both vendors have received formal warnings and will be revisited soon.