Underage sales - latest results

In October 2007, two 15 year old volunteers helped officers by carrying out test purchase visits at various premises across the city.

These visits were used to test compliance with the 18 age limit for the sale of tobacco.

Under strict 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 this phase, the officers visited 40 premises.  Of these, 18 premises (45%) sold tobacco to the test purchase volunteers.

Verbal warnings were issued to traders who had made the illegal sales.  These were followed up by formal written warnings.

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

Steps have now been put into place to ensure that officers from Community Safety will continue to monitor retailers. 

For more information, or advice on complying with the legislation; to report an underage sale or to find out about how to become an underage sales volunteer, contact us.