Shock Renfrewshire under-age cigarette sale figures

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Shocked trading standards officers in Renfrewshire have found 80% of shops visited were willing to sell cigarettes to a 15 year-old girl during an undercover operation to test the law.

The startling findings come just weeks after the first anniversary of new regulations, which raised the legal age for buying cigarettes from 16 to 18 years old.

Test purchases were made in 36 shops in Renfrew and Paisley town centres during October and 29 sold cigarettes to the fresh-faced, 15 year-old volunteer.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "It literally takes your breath away that so many local traders are willing to ignore the law. In the past few years, our trading standards officers have carried out a number of test purchasing operations but this year's results are the worst ever."

"The age limit is there for a very good reason – a child who starts smoking aged 14 or less is five times more likely to die of lung cancer than someone who starts at 24 or older, and 15 times more likely to die of lung cancer than someone who never smokes at all."

"Every year, smoking kills around 600 people in Renfrewshire."

"There is no excuse for these appalling figures. The Scottish Government sent all of Renfrewshire's 485 retailers an information pack about the increase in the age limit. Many of the shops which sold cigarettes to our tester were displaying posters about the new, higher age limit."

"We are sending a clear warning to traders. Our trading standards officers will be carrying out more test purchasing operations and traders who sell cigarettes to children will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal."

Selling tobacco to someone under 18 years old carries a maximum fine of £2,500.

The rules for test purchasing say that the candidate must be at least 18 months younger than the age limit for the product that they are attempting to buy. They should also look young enough to prompt the retailer to ask their age.

Renfrewshire Council is looking for volunteers to take part in its test purchasing programme. It is also urging anyone who suspects a retailer may be selling cigarettes to under 18s to contact trading standards on 0141 840 3460, or email es.ts@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Press release: Thursday 20 November 2008