Stores sold cigarettes to under-age girl

Oct 30 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A TEENAGE secret shopper in Wirral found that most shops will still sell cigar- ettes to under-age people.

Less than a month after the minimum legal age for buying tobacco was raised from 16 to 18, eleven out of 14 shops tested sold cigarettes to a 15-year-old girl.

The test purchases were organised by Wirral Trading Standards department, using a young volunteer test purchaser who asked for a pack of 20 cigarettes.

Cllr Gill Gardner, Wirral’s Cabinet member for Environment said the survey was carried out during half-term at supermarkets, newsagents, garages and off-licences throughout Wirral.

She said it “showed the ease with which a child can still buy cigarettes”. Cllr Gardner said: “At no time was our test purchaser asked her age, nor asked for identification.

“Additionally, four premises also failed to display the warning sign required by law.

“The legal age was raised from 16 to 18 on the 1st October as a means of protecting the long-term health of our children.

“I would implore retailers to act responsibly.

“Whilst further action will be considered against those who sold cigarettes to our teenage volunteer, I would like to congratulate those responsible retailers who did refuse to sell.”

If retailers require any advice about the change in the law, they can contact Wirral Trading Standards on 691 8033.