Underage Sales - Newsletter - Summer 2008
Alcohol
We undertake alcohol test purchases with police assistance, following allegations or intelligence received. This year 15% of off licences made sales to our volunteers who are aged around 16 ½, this is an improvement but as most shops adopt the “think 21 policy, our volunteers should be refused all the time. Most offences are dealt with by an £80 fixed penalty notice to the seller, two cases were taken to court, and use was made of the Licence Review to add conditions to shop licences.
The Councils’ Accredited Community Safety Service operates high visibility patrols with clearly uniformed officers and marked vans. The vans are equipped with CCTV. Officers also patrol on foot to provide a reassuring presence in the community and act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. The officers deal with anti-social behaviour and will make interventions that aim to change behaviour and prevent low level crime. The officers generally give advice and issue warnings first but confiscate alcohol and cigarettes from young people who are under-age and issue fixed penalty notices.
Hampshire County Council is a Responsible Authority under the Licensing Act 2003, Trading Standards receive copies of every new application and variation of premise licence in Hampshire. We often request changes to the operating schedule to promote the licensing objectives. On two occasions this year a premise was found to be selling alcohol without a premise licence and then went on to make underage sales of alcohol. Along with the local police, we objected to one of these premises from applying for a licence. A hearing was held and the licensing panel refused to issue a licence.
Tobacco
The age to purchase tobacco increased in October to 18, and a Department of Health media campaign to alert both retailers and young people, should have helped smooth the transition. Unfortunately subsequent test purchasing by young volunteers has resulted in 10 sales from 30 attempts, the worst results we have had for many years. These poor results will be partially due to the legal age increasing to 18 in October 2007, and staff being more focused on alcohol sales. ‘Think 21’ and other policies would appear not to have applied to cigarette purchase requests. Later this year pictorial warnings about the dangers of smoking will appear on packs.
Counterfeit Tobacco Products
Counterfeiting is a worldwide problem and affects many leading branded goods. The UK’s tax policy on tobacco products makes it an attractive market for counterfeiters. Counterfeit tobacco products are illegal and retailers must ensure that they do not sell them. To be sure of genuine product retailers should only purchase their stocks from UK manufacturers or established reputable suppliers. From 1st October 2007 all cigarettes manufactured for the UK market by members of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) and Philip Morris International will incorporate new technology to allow the easy identification of genuine/counterfeit products. Please report the details of anyone suspected of selling counterfeit tobacco products to HMRC.
Novelty cigarette lighters
All lighters need to be child resistant, and novelty lighters are banned from 11 March 2008. Novelty lighters include anything which resembles something other than a lighter. These requirements follow an EU Decision and are to reduce fires and accidents. See www.hants.gov.uk/regulatory/tradingstandards/cigarettelighters.html. Trading Standards would like to hear from anyone finding the banned lighters still on sale.
Solvents and Butane Gas
This is an increasing area of concern. Please ensure your staff are aware of the law and dangers in supplying these products to youngsters. One sniff of lighter gas can kill. One shop from the eight tested sold a can of butane lighter gas to a 15 year old. These can be very dangerous if inhaled. Use a Till point and Point of Sale sticker like this.
Acceptable Age ID cards:
UK Passports
Photo driving licence
Citizencard
Validate UK
Portman “Prove it” card*
Citizencard*
*Please note these cards are no longer being issued but existing cards are still in circulation.
Knives
Too frequently we read about young people carrying knives, and in October the law has tightened up. If you sell knives and certain articles with a blade or point it is illegal to sell these to anyone under the age of 18. The ban includes any knife, knife blade, razor blade or axe and includes any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person.
A retailer pack which includes information about all age restricted goods is also available. If you need copies of this you can contact us at the address below.
If you would like a copy of the newsletter they are available from Kevan Morley, Steve Lawford or Steve Zebedee at the address below:
Hampshire County Council
Trading Standards Service
Montgomery House
Monarch Way
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5PW
Tel: 01962 833620
Email: underage.sales@hants.gov.uk
Text to: 6003 starting your message HANTS UNDERAGE