Trading Standards Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council have been carrying out test purchases on businesses in the city following the implementation of the new age restrictions on the purchase of tobacco.

The new law which saw the legal age to purchase cigarettes rise from 16 to 18 was introduced on October 1st.

Trading Standards Officers implemented a two phase approach to dealing with this change in legislation. The first of which was designed to assist traders who sell tobacco with the requirements of the new legislation. Trading Officers from the Trading Standards and Licensing Sections within Community Safety visited premises where tobacco was thought to be on sale throughout the city. During these visits officers assessed compliance and provided advice to traders on the new legal signage requirements.

During phase 1 officers visited 3,212 premises of which they found 1,032 premises which sold tobacco products and of these found 317 premises (31%) which did not comply with the new legal signage requirements.

All premises which did not comply with the new signage requirements have received 28 day warning letters and will be revisited to confirm compliance with the legislation. Failure to comply with signage requirements could attract a fine of up to £1,000.

During phase two, two 15 year old trained volunteers assisted officers to carry out test purchase visits at various premises across the city. These visits were used to test compliance with the new age limits.

Under strict, but covert supervision, the volunteers attempted to purchase cigarettes. All of these visits were carried out using the test purchase protocol endorsed by the Lord Advocate.

During phase 2 officers visited 40 premises of these 18 premises (45%) sold tobacco to the test purchase volunteers. Verbal warnings were issued to the traders who had made the illegal sales, these were followed up by formal written warnings sent by Recorded Delivery letter.

Businesses who declined to sell were written to, notifying them of the test purchase exercise and commending their vigilance.

[3]

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader said, "I would like to commend the businesses who have acknowledged the change in legislation and complied with the new rules. However I am very concerned by the fact that nearly half of the premises we tested sold cigarettes regardless of the age of the customer. This behaviour is totally unacceptable and steps have been put in place to ensure that our Trading Standards Officers continue to monitor these retailers. Anyone who doesn't adhere to the legislation will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal's office. We are determined to take the strongest possible action against anyone who flouts the law on tobacco sales."