Change in legal age to buy tobacco
Released: 24 September 2007
Wolverhampton City Council Trading Standards Officers are currently helping local retailers prepare for the October 1st change in the legal age to buy tobacco.
From October 1st, 2007, the legal age to buy cigarettes and tobacco rises to 18 from the current age of 16. The new controls will apply to ‘face to face’ sales and purchases from vending machines or on the internet.
A business found selling tobacco products to a person under 18 after October 1st could face a fine of up to £2,500. Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, loose rolling tobacco and rolling papers.
Retailers are advised to start making customers aware of the changes early to avoid difficulties and display the posters and leaflets provided by the Department of Health. Parents are also being urged to support retailers who say no to underage purchasers.
Retailers will be required to display a sign clearly stating the new age restriction on tobacco products. The sign must say “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18”.
Vending machines must also display signage stating “This machine is only for the use of people aged 18 or over”. Failure to display the statutory notice can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Retail staff members are being advised to always ask those who look under-age to see an accredited proof of age card or other valid form of identification.
Both the sales person and the business owner could be prosecuted for any illegal sales.
Trading Standards Officers will be responsible for enforcing the new law and will be working closely with retailers to help them prepare for the change and to ensure compliance. The Trading Standards Service will be writing to all tobacco retailers in the city to provide a fact sheet and can also be contacted for further advice via City Direct on 01902 551155.
Further information, downloadable signage, fact sheets and advice on preparing for the change can also be found on the www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk dedicated website.
Trading Standards officers will investigate complaints and ensure compliance with the law through supervised child test purchase operations. Anyone suspecting a business is deliberately selling to underage buyers should contact Trading Standards via City Direct on 01902 551155.
Issued by the press office.