Council go undercover to catch underage tobacco sellers
Thursday, 4 September 2008
ENVIRONMENTAL Health chiefs at Magherafelt District Council are set to carry out undercover investigations to make sure retailers in the area aren't selling tobacco products to under 18's.
From Monday the legal age of buying tobacco and associated products went up from 16 to 18 years old, and bosses at the Council say they aren't going to be lenient when it comes to enforcing the new law.
The Council's Environmental Health department are set to carry out test-purchasing investigations in the area and if caught failing to observe the new law, both the sales person and the retailer could face a hefty fine of £2,500.
Health Officers have delivered information packs to all retailers in the area advising them on the new conditions. Shops are now required to display a sign clearly stating the new age restriction on tobacco products stating "It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18."
Publicans and those who own tobacco vending machines can also be hit with substantial fines if their machined doesn't display clear signage.
The Council information packs distributed ask retailers to be vigilant and to operate the policy of 'No proof of age - No sale' to avoid sales to anyone under 18.
Director of Environmental Health at Magherafelt District Council, Maurice Young said his department are committed to combating the illegal sales to underage people in the area.
He said: "The Government has changed the law to try and prevent children and young people from starting smoking in the first place. This will help them to avoid the serious health dangers of smoking. That way we all benefit".
Mr Young added it is now more important than ever to warn and prevent youngsters of experiencing the dangerous health effects of smoking.
“The effects of tobacco smoking on teenagers are devastating. Someone who starts smoking at 15 years is three times more likely to die of cancer than someone who starts smoking in their mid-twenties. Half of all teenagers who smoke will die from diseases caused by tobacco if they continue to smoke - and a quarter of them will die before they are 70," stressed Mr Young.
“The new smoke free laws have got off to a very encouraging start and we are determined that, through public education and robust enforcement, we will improve the health and life chances for our young people."
