New Figures Highlight Need for Challenge 21 Message
31 Aug 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores’ (ACS) Chief Executive James Lowman has commented on new Government figures on under age tobacco sales.
The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2006’ report, published by the Information Centre, surveyed 11-15 year olds on their use and purchase of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The report found that 65% of the pupils who smoked identified shops as a source of purchase. The latest figures show an improvement on previous research conducted in 2004.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Stopping children from buying age- restricted products is a core part of being a responsible retailer. There is much more that needs to be done to stamp out sales of tobacco to those under age.
“The legal age to sell tobacco is increasing to 18 on 1 October, in line with alcohol, and retailers will need to apply the Challenge 21 message to tobacco as well as alcohol. Only by enforcing a strong No ID No Sale policy on all age restricted sales can we stop those under age getting hold of these products.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2006’ report can be found at http://www.ic.nhs.uk.
The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2006’ report, published by the Information Centre, surveyed 11-15 year olds on their use and purchase of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The report found that 65% of the pupils who smoked identified shops as a source of purchase. The latest figures show an improvement on previous research conducted in 2004.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Stopping children from buying age- restricted products is a core part of being a responsible retailer. There is much more that needs to be done to stamp out sales of tobacco to those under age.
“The legal age to sell tobacco is increasing to 18 on 1 October, in line with alcohol, and retailers will need to apply the Challenge 21 message to tobacco as well as alcohol. Only by enforcing a strong No ID No Sale policy on all age restricted sales can we stop those under age getting hold of these products.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2006’ report can be found at http://www.ic.nhs.uk.