Cigarette sellers go the extra mile

The Mayor, Councillor Peter Rush, Service Director for Economy and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council, Mark Widdup and Responsible Retailer Salamet Ali Khan, owner of Sam Sons, Durham Street, Rochdale

Rochdale has become the first borough in the North West to encourage retailers to ask for ID from people who look younger than 25 who are buying cigarettes.

The council’s public protection team has launched a voluntary scheme for shops which sell tobacco which sees them sign up to a range of measures to safeguard young people’s health.

As well as operating challenge 25, store owners will be asked to keep a record of the training they give staff on underage sales issues, attend regular seminars to update them on the law and keep a log of any sales they refuse.

The move follows the success of the borough’s responsible retailer scheme for alcohol which has signed up more than 100 shops, including many of the big name supermarkets, since it was launched in 2007.

Members of the scheme display a membership certificate in their shops and are listed on the council’s website.

While members of the responsible retailer scheme for alcohol would be encouraged to operate it on all age restricted products, including tobacco, this is the first time that shops which only sell cigarettes have been targeted.

Shop owners, 56 of whom have already signed up to the scheme, came together to mark the launch at Rochdale Cricket Club, The Mayor, Councillor Peter Rush, dropped in to talk about the new initiative while public protection staff gave them top tips on how to prevent burglary and information on the number of young smokers in the borough.

Councillor Jacquie Beswick, Cabinet Member for Place and Regulation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “By extending this scheme to cover tobacco, we are now able to target the many retailers who don’t sell alcohol, including newsagents, filling stations and grocers.

“We are proud to be leading the way on this important public health issue. If we can put a stop to underage smoking, we will go a long way to protecting the young people of this borough.”

The responsible retailer scheme compliments the regular text purchase exercises which ensure the borough’s shops are complying with the law. Stores which sell alcohol and tobacco to underage youngsters could face a maximum fine of £2500.

If a responsible retailer fails a test purchase exercise their membership is suspended.

A full list of responsible retailers is available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/responsibleretailer

Shops who would like to find out more about the new scheme and how to sign up are asked to contact Najma Tayab on 01706 924145 or email najma.tayab@rochdale.gov.uk