2:08pm Thursday 13th September 2007
By Staff Reporter
TEENAGE spies will go undercover in Bury when the age for buying tobacco is raised to 18 on October 1.
Trading standards are determined to enforce the law, and warn shopkeepers that they face a fine of £2,500 if they break it.
The warning follows a recent similar crackdown on booze, in which several people were caught selling alcohol to minors on more than one occasion. The guilty retailers face fines, police cautions, or may even have their licences taken away.
Peter Jagger, head of trading standards in Bury, said: "We are undertaking an information campaign for an initial period where we will send out mail shots and visit premises, but after that we will be engaging in a full-scale enforcement initiative, using under-age children to conduct test purchases.
"We will be urging all retailers to insist on asking to see a recognised proof of age card, such as those with the "PASS" hologram, or a photo driving licence, before selling tobacco to young people. In turn, young people should expect to be asked for proof of age, and to be refused if they cannot prove that they are over 18.
"If necessary we will not shy away from prosecuting offenders."
Selling tobacco products to under-18s could result in a fine of up to £2,500, and up to £1,000 for not displaying the statutory notice.
The law applies both to over-the-counter and vending machine sales, and includes cigarette papers.
Councillor Michelle Wiseman, executive member for safe and secure communities, said: "From recent prosecutions we've taken out over issues like under-age alcohol sales, and parents failing to send their children to school, people should be getting the message that Bury Council will not sit back and let irresponsible and criminal behaviour blight the lives of our residents.
"If tobacco sellers do not abide by the law, we will prosecute them."
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