Cumberland Council Trading Standards has praised local retailers based in Workington, Silloth and Maryport for following robust age-restricted sales procedures after conducting a series of test purchases in which young volunteers were consistently asked to provide ID.
Test purchasing operations were carried out on 20 August and 28 August, with the purpose of ensuring local businesses were complying with legislation to prevent the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes to people under the age of 18. All 17 of the retail premises visited asked the volunteers for identification before refusing the sale.
Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Policy and Regulatory Services, Councillor Bob Kelly, said: “I’m delighted to see that all 17 of the shops visited throughout this operation have complied with the laws and legislation which prohibits the sale of cigarettes and nicotine-containing vape products to those under the age of 18.
“This is a fantastic result, and testament to the hard work of our Trading Standards team who work alongside Cumberland business owners to ensure that their wares are safe and legal.
“This operation very much follows Cumberland Council’s policy of warning and advising traders before any offences are committed”.
There are strict laws on the sale of cigarettes and nicotine vaping products, and it is a criminal offence to sell them to persons under the age of 18 years or purchase them on their behalf. Traders found to be breaking these rules risk being prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.
