26 February 2008 Media Release

Today saw the joint publication of a new guide for organisations who want to see a 
reduction in the sales of tobacco to under 18s. Reducing Tobacco Sales to Young 
People has been published by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in 
Scotland (SCOTSS) and ASH Scotland. 

Commenting on the publication of the guide at a meeting of the Scottish Tobacco 
Control Alliance, SCOTSS Chairman David Thomson said, 

“This guide should be warmly welcomed by all those working to reduce young people’s 
access to or use of tobacco. It helps make the connections between the prevention and 
enforcement roles of those involved in this important issue and should enable us to 
tackle it more effectively.”  


Commenting on the publication of the guide Ms Duffy for ASH said:

“Reducing Tobacco Sales to Young People has been produced with input from Trading 
Standards Officers, health promotion specialists and representatives of retail associations.
The guide shows that reducing sales of cigarettes to young people and improving Scotland’s
health is a community effort and that we can all do more to help achieve these aims. This 
innovative guide outlines how a number of agencies and organisations that care for the 
health of children can play their part and shows that partnership working can help enhance 
enforcement work. 

Reducing Tobacco Sales to Young People will be distributed to all the Chief Officers of 
Trading Standards in Scotland, Community Health Partnerships and retailer organisations.


ENDS

Note to Editors

SCOTSS is the professional body which represents trading standards 
services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It coordinates 
fair trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country.
As a section of the Trading Standards Institute its purpose is to 
promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members 
in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses 
and targeting rogue traders.