Underage Sales Test Purchasing - Volunteers Needed
Background
It is estimated that 44% of under-age smokers buy their cigarettes from shops and over £100 million worth of cigarettes are believed to be sold to children every year.
Local checks on the sale of alcohol in Hampshire show high levels of illegal underage sales. Our aim is to get retailers to comply with the law relating to underage sales and bring this figure down.
Volunteers Needed
We are looking for 14.5 -16.5 year old volunteers to help with tobacco, alcohol, firework and solvent test purchasing to check shops are complying with the laws on underage sales. If you are interested in helping us during occasional school holidays, evenings or weekends then please contact us.
Volunteers work under close supervision and in accordance with best practice procedures.
We will visit volunteers and their parents first to discuss and explain matters fully.
The volunteers will be asked to enter shops and attempt to purchase age restricted products. If challenged they will be instructed to tell the truth about their age. At all times while in the premises an officer will be present. Staff are 'Police cleared' to work with youngsters.
In carrying out test purchasing exercises we will ensure that the welfare considerations of the child are paramount.
Volunteers would not have to visit premises near where they live, or close to their school or where they socialise. It is often helpful for two friends to help us together.
Athough we cannot pay the volunteers we do provide an appropriate meal and suitable refreshments throughout the day.
A certificate that can be used for Record of Achievement/Citizenship portfolios is also provided. Some volunteers have used it as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
The Facts
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Cigarettes
Nicotine is highly addictive and is heavily marketed at young people by the tobacco industry. The earlier children start to smoke, the more likely they are to remain smokers and expose themselves to potentially fatal diseases.
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Alcohol
Similarly, alcohol when taken in excess can be responsible for a wide range of health problems. There has been a large increase in liver disease in recent years. It can also lead to behaviour problems that are socially unacceptable.
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Solvents
Some young persons buy cigarette lighter refills and sniff the contents to intoxicate themselves. In 2001 there were 63 deaths associated with volatile substance abuse. It is an offence for traders to sell cigarette lighter refills containing butane to anyone under the age of 18, regardless of their intended use.
Parents
We need you to be our eyes and ears on the street and to inform us if you believe there is a trader who is selling alcohol, cigarettes etc to underage people, whether it be deliberately or carelessly. In supplying us with such information we can concentrate our efforts on the real offenders.
Who to Contact
If you are interested please contact:
Steve Lawford
Hampshire County Council
Trading Standards
Montgomery House
Monarch Way
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5PW
Tel: 01962 833620
Email: underage.sales@hants.gov.uk