Underage Sales

Protecting Young People from Tobacco

Tobacco image

Change to Law

On 1st October 2007, the law changed. It is an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 (a rise from 16).

If you know of shops who are selling cigarettes to under 18's please let us know by phoning 01962 833620 or emailing underage.sales@hants.gov.uk or text to 60003 starting your message HANTS UNDERAGE.

 

The Facts

Of the 150 local authorities with trading standards responsibilities 104 (69%) use volunteer young people to carry out test purchases of tobacco products.

In Hampshire our results have been:

Year Attempts Sales
2004/2005 56 attempts 14 sales (25%)
2005/2006 40 attempts 1 sale (2.5%)
2006/2007 31 attempts 5 sales (16%)
2007/2008 29 attempts 7 sales (24%)

Shops were checked to see if they were displaying the warning notice

In Hampshire our results have been:

Year Checks Displaying? Percentage
2005/2006 819 checks 85 not displaying (10%)
2006/2007 685 checks 80 not displaying (11%)
2007/2008 410 checks 53 not displaying (13%)

We also check on compliance with the ban on Tobacco Advertising at Point of Sale and on the positioning and signage for cigarette vending machines.

What are we doing now:

  • continuing to carry out test purchases

  • actively seeking information from parents, schools, police, etc. as to which shops are selling to youngsters. Phone the hotline 01962 833620 or email underage.sales@hants.gov.uk or text to: 60003 starting message HANTS UNDERAGE

  • introducing a Responsible Retailer Scheme to encourage, promote & recognise good practice, with partners

  • publishing the results of our work

 

Tobacco Control Consultation

People are being asked for their views on new proposals to restrict tobacco advertising across the country.

The consultation document ‘The Future of Tobacco Control’ is looking for people’s views now and aims to start a debate on further measures that would stop people smoking and prevent young people starting to smoke.

 

Further Reading