Scottish Government
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Stubbing out illegal cigarettes
Cracking down on underage and illegal cigarette sales is the aim of a partnership scheme launched today.
The Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Programme will see the Scottish Government, Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs and Trading Standards officers throughout Scotland working together to tackle the problem.
The scheme has two main aims:
- stepping up enforcement of tobacco sales law to prevent underage cigarette sales
- stemming the flow of smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"We're determined to improve the nation's health but our efforts will be in vain unless we can cut Scotland's smoking rates - quitting smoking is the biggest single thing anyone can do to improve their health.
"This two-pronged attack will see more rigorous enforcement of existing tobacco laws, with trading standards officers using every tool at their disposal - including test purchasing - to ensure retailers aren't selling cigarettes to under 18s. With over a quarter of retailers willing to sell cigarettes to under 18s, it's clearly an area that must be addressed.
"At the same time, by working with HMRC, we'll be able to clamp down on people selling smuggled or fake cigarettes on street corners or in the pub.
"Smoking has already blighted far too many lives and robbed too many families of loved ones prematurely. As Public Health Minister, I'm determined to do all I can to reduce smoking rates, particularly among children. If we can help the next generation grow up smoke-free, that will be a tremendous legacy to leave them."
Michael Connolly, HMRC's Operational manager, Specialist Investigations, Scotland, said:
"HM Revenue & Customs is determined to restrict the areas through which people can sell illegal tobacco products. We will work together with the other agencies to help stamp out the illegal tobacco trade in Scotland."
Colin Baxter from the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland said:
"Trading Standards services across Scotland are determined to play their part in this important health initiative by reducing the availability of tobacco products to those under 18 years of age.
"To succeed in this aim we need retailers to engage with us. Officers throughout the country will be visiting tobacco sellers to offer advice and assistance in relation to age restricted sales.
"This education and support phase will be followed up with a sustained test purchase programme to identify those who continue to sell to under 18s. Those unscrupulous or uncaring retailers ignoring age restrictions will face legal sanctions with a maximum fine of £2,500 upon conviction."
All Scottish councils have received extra funding - £1.5 million for each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11 - to more rigorously enforce tobacco sales law, including test purchasing and joint working with HMRC. Each council will decide how the funds are spent.
Among regular smokers, 47 per cent of 13 year olds and 82 per cent of 15 year olds reported buying cigarettes from a shop, according to the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Abuse Survey 2006. While fewer 13 year olds had bought cigarettes from shops in 2006 than in 2004 (62 per cent), there was little change among 15 year olds (86 per cent).
A recent trading standards operation in Glasgow found that a quarter of shopkeepers still sell cigarettes to 16 year olds.
Smoking in public places in Scotland was banned on March 26, 2006. On October 1, 2007, the minimum age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18.
Scotland's Smoking Prevention Action Plan, published last May, outlined a range of measures designed to reduce smoking rates in Scotland. The Health Bill, expected to be published imminently, will further enhance Scotland's anti-smoking measures.
The Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Programme initially aims to cut the number of retailers prepared to sell cigarettes to under 18s by 50 per cent by 2011 - from 26 to 13 per cent. At least ten per cent of retailers will be subject to test purchasing each year. In addition, at least 20 per cent of retailers will receive a visit from trading standards officers each year to offer help and advice.
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