Shopkeepers on Front Line in Battle against Underage Smoking
03 Jul 2006
Shopkeepers in England and Wales will be vital to a successful change in the law on the minimum purchase age for cigarettes.
Responding to the Government’s announcement that it is considering raising the age for the legal purchase of cigarettes to 18, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is stressing the need to recognise this will present a challenge for responsible retailers that they will need help in bringing into force.
ACS Government Relations Manager, Shane Brennan said: “Managing a change in the minimum age for buying cigarettes to 17 or 18 will be a significant challenge for retailers. If the Government decides to go ahead then there must be a clear plan in place for how the age change is brought into law.
“The means by which the age change happens must be fair and simple to understand for those that work behind the counter. There must also be high profile communication not only to shop owners and staff, but to the wider public. It is vital that confusion or lack of information is minimised to reduce the risk of conflict for those that are asked to enforce this law change in the store.
“Responsible shopkeepers and staff are on the frontline of a battle to prevent children from buying tobacco. To do this effectively they need support from Government.
“ACS supports tough sanctions against retailers that persistently sell tobacco to the underage; but we are concerned that the existing penalty regime is not being used effectively. ACS is committed to working with industry colleagues, the Government and local enforcement to reduce the current test purchase failure rate from the existing level of 12%.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Government Relations Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Notes to Editors:
1. The Department of Health launched a consultation on “Raising the Legal Age for Selling Tobacco” on 3rd July 2006. http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/LiveConsultationsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4136732&chk=91z6mN.
Responding to the Government’s announcement that it is considering raising the age for the legal purchase of cigarettes to 18, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is stressing the need to recognise this will present a challenge for responsible retailers that they will need help in bringing into force.
ACS Government Relations Manager, Shane Brennan said: “Managing a change in the minimum age for buying cigarettes to 17 or 18 will be a significant challenge for retailers. If the Government decides to go ahead then there must be a clear plan in place for how the age change is brought into law.
“The means by which the age change happens must be fair and simple to understand for those that work behind the counter. There must also be high profile communication not only to shop owners and staff, but to the wider public. It is vital that confusion or lack of information is minimised to reduce the risk of conflict for those that are asked to enforce this law change in the store.
“Responsible shopkeepers and staff are on the frontline of a battle to prevent children from buying tobacco. To do this effectively they need support from Government.
“ACS supports tough sanctions against retailers that persistently sell tobacco to the underage; but we are concerned that the existing penalty regime is not being used effectively. ACS is committed to working with industry colleagues, the Government and local enforcement to reduce the current test purchase failure rate from the existing level of 12%.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Government Relations Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Notes to Editors:
1. The Department of Health launched a consultation on “Raising the Legal Age for Selling Tobacco” on 3rd July 2006. http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/LiveConsultationsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4136732&chk=91z6mN.