Illegal cigarette sale in Whitchurch

In a recent test-purchasing exercise conducted by Shropshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, officers visited 10 retailers in north Shropshire using a female volunteer aged 14. This is the first exercise to be undertaken since the legal age limit for cigarettes increased from 16 to 18 on the 1 October this year. On this occasion, one sale was made in Whitchurch.

Frances Darling, Enforcement Team Manager said: “Our volunteer was 4 years younger than the new legal age limit of 18, and 2 years younger than the previous limit, and so a sale has to be seen as disappointing. However, as there was only 1 sale, and it is some time since the last cigarette exercise was carried out in north Shropshire, it does suggest that the majority of north Shropshire retailers are vigilant when it comes to the sale of cigarettes to young people. We are hoping that this latest exercise will help reinforce the awareness that appears to already exist amongst most retailers. Whilst the refusals are undoubtedly a positive outcome, we want to remind retailers that the only way to avoid selling cigarettes to under 18s is to ask for specific proof of age. The service also strongly encourages retailers to visibly operate a “Think 21” policy. This requires anyone who appears to be under 21 to prove they have attained the appropriate legal age: in the case of cigarettes, this is 18.”

Enquiries are now underway to establish who is responsible for the sale in Whitchurch, and additional test-purchasing exercises are being planned.

The increase in the age for cigarettes was specifically introduced to help protect children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and suffering the serious harm that they can cause. Smoking is the single biggest cause of illness and death, killing 86,500 people in England annually. It also costs the NHS between £1.4 and £1.7 billion to treat smoking-related illness. Research by YouGov revealed that 69% of adults believe it makes sense to raise the minimum age for the sale of tobacco to 18 in line with alcohol. Evidence from Ireland shows the same law change there played a key role in reducing prevalence of teenage smoking.

John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire County Council's Cabinet member for economy, said, “Whilst it is heartening to hear that only 1 sale took place in the recent test-purchasing exercise, retailers cannot become complacent. 1 sale is a sale too many, and I strongly urge retailers to take all the steps they can to avoid selling cigarettes to young people. We must not forget that the younger a person is when they start to smoke; the more likely they are to be killed by their addiction.”

Additional information

1. The power to increase the age of sale of tobacco products (which includes cigarettes, cigars, loose rolling tobacco and rolling papers) is conferred on the Secretary of State by virtue of Section 13 of the Health Act 2006. The relevant Order is the Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc) Order 2007, which amends the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, and the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991. The offences remain the same.

2. Volunteers who assist in age-restricted sales test-purchasing exercises have full parental permission to be involved.

3. For more information on “Think 21” and proof of age cards contact the Trading Standards Service's (01743) 254156 number.

4. For general business advice, in respect of age-restricted sales and other consumer legislation, contact the Trading Standards Service’s Business Advice Team on (01743) 254144.

9 October 2007