29 May 2008

PRESS RELEASE

SCOTSS today welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of a new
Action Plan to tackle continuing problems with young smokers in Scotland.

SCOTSS Chairman David Thomson said:
 
"SCOTSS welcomes the Scottish Government's Smoking Prevention Action Plan and
the focus on enhanced enforcement. Test purchase operations by local
authorities continue to show a significant proportion of retailers that fail to
operate a ''no proof no sale' policy and continue to sell tobacco to young
people under 18 or children under 16. The additional funding over the next 3
years will enable Trading Standards services to focus their efforts on
assisting businesses to implement proof of age procedures whilst cracking down
on those that flout the law. By denying access to tobacco to people below 18 it
is hoped that fewer young people will take up the habit and harm their health
by smoking.

In addition, SCOTSS will be co-ordinating efforts with HMRC to ensure that the
enhanced enforcement programme also tackles those dealing in contraband and
counterfeit tobacco."

The Scottish Government Have announced an additional £1.5m to provide resources
for trading standards services in Scotland to step up enforcement measures on
retailers who supply tobacco products to young person under 18.