Retailers investigated following underage tobacco sales

Smoking

Six retailers in Rochdale are being investigated by Rochdale Borough Council for selling tobacco to minors.

The council’s trading standards officers carried out test purchasing exercises last month on (18 and 19 April 2011) using underage volunteers in 20 premises across the town. Six retailers were caught selling tobacco or cigarettes illegally and irresponsibly to persons under 18 years old. Two of the six premises were caught selling chewing tobacco such as Paan Masala and Gutkha whereas the other four sold standard cigarettes.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager for Rochdale Borough Council said: “Retailers have an obligation to prevent the sale of tobacco and cigarettes to underage customers.

“The exercises carried out last month have generally been positive. But it’s worrying to see that over a quarter of retailers are failing to ask for adequate identification when selling age restricted products. Our advice is always to ask for proof of age from any individual who you suspect as being under the age of 25 years old – this is in accordance with our Challenge 25 policy.

“The premises that failed the test purchasing exercise will now be investigated by the council and could face prosecution for their actions.”

All underage sales surveys are carried out in accordance with strict guidelines which ensure that the young person involved is protected at all times whilst also being as fair as possible to the trader. These recent test purchases have shown that six of the businesses visited have not had adequate procedures in place to prevent children from obtaining tobacco or cigarettes. The council will consider all options available to them to decide what appropriate action will be taken against all the failed premises.

Colin Lambert, Council Leader at Rochdale Borough Council, added: “The test purchase exercises carried out by the council are essential in reducing the number of underage smokers in the borough. They’re crucial in helping us take action against retailers who are not selling tobacco or cigarettes responsibly and can help to protect the health of our younger generations from the harmful consequences of smoking.”

Over 200 premises have been visited over the past year from the council’s public protection officers raising awareness about the health-related dangers of tobacco and the legislation dictating its sale. 

Visits have included local businesses and manufacturers, doctors and dentists, schools and community groups who have been educated and informed on the dangers of chewing tobacco and the council’s crackdown on underage sales of cigarettes to children. 

The penalties for breaking the law could face legal action being taken resulting in fines up to £5,000, or even a prison sentence of up to six months.