Cigarette sting smokes out illegal shop sellers
ALMOST half the shops visited in an undercover sting in Edinburgh sold cigarettes to underage buyers.
Fifteen-year-old volunteers, working with Trading Standards, were sold cigarettes at 18 out of 40 shops. The shops have received written warnings following the visits, which were staged after the age limit for buying tobacco rose to 18 on October 1.
The undercover stings were conducted after Trading Standards warned 317 shops for not displaying signs about the new rules.
Among the 18 shops discovered selling tobacco to underage buyers was Ben's Newsagent on Brunswick Street in Leith Walk.
Owner Aslam Mohammed apologised today for what he said was a genuine mistake.
He said: "The change in the law was not that long ago but it slipped my mind. I'm sorry it happened. I've made sure it's not going to happen again. This warning has made me very careful for the future."
Shops that refused to sell tobacco to the 15-year-olds received letters from the council informing them of the visit and praising staff for their vigilance.
RS McColl in Davidson's Mains was one of those that passed the test. Stephen Bevin, supervisor at the store, said his branch had displayed the new age-restriction posters before the legislation came into effect.
He said: "The majority of kids come in wearing a school uniform, so we just wouldn't sell them any cigarettes.
"For the ones who don't wear uniform but we're unsure of how old they are, we ask for proof of their age. We do the same for alcohol as well as cigarettes.
"It's better to be safe than sorry, so we make sure everything is in place."
More random undercover spot-checks on shops and places selling cigarettes is likely to happen in December.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, praised stores that passed the test. He added: "However, I am very concerned by the fact that nearly half of the premises we tested sold cigarettes regardless of the age of the customer.
"This behaviour is totally unacceptable and steps have been put in place to ensure that our trading standards officers monitor these retailers."
He said the council would seek the strongest possible action against anyone who continues to break the law, with reports being sent to the procurator fiscal.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News
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