World No Tobacco Day

THE FIGHT against under age sales of tobacco will be marked in Warrington on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May. 

The theme this year encourages councils to focus on young people’s exposure to tobacco and increasing nicotine dependence among adolescents and young adults.

A recent ‘under age sales of tobacco’ programme conducted from October 2007 to February 2008 by Warrington Trading Standards targeted over 104 premises throughout the borough.  Results showed that a quarter of those premises visited had sold tobacco to persons under the age of 18 years.

Head of Trading Standards Pete Astley commented “These results are encouraging in comparison to previous years but there is still a lot of work to be done. It is vitally important that employers train their staff to use refusals registers, which includes a description of customers who are refused sales.
“ I would also urge traders to implement a ‘No ID, no sale’ policy and to advise 18 and 19 year old smokers to carry an accredited proof of age card such as ‘Validate’ or other valid form of photo ID, such as a driving licence when buying cigarettes’. 

The council supports the ’Challenge 21’ initiative which encourages retailers and licences to seek proof of age from anybody who appears to be under the age of 21.

The law on selling tobacco changed on 1 October 2007 making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 (an increase from 16) in England. This covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, loose rolling tobacco and rolling papers. It applies to both over the counter and vending machine sales.

Warrington Trading Standards has, for many years, been proactive in campaigning to prevent young people becoming addicted to smoking through vigorous test purchase campaigns, retailer education and the provision of proof of age cards through the high schools.

Councillor Roy Smith, Executive Board Member for Community Services also stated ‘It is vital that the retail trade play their part and act responsibly by always requiring proof of age when there is any doubt as to a purchaser’s age as those that do not risk prosecution’.

Further ‘under age sales of tobacco’ programmes run by Trading Standards, are scheduled to take place in the future.  

Teenagers who want to stop smoking can call the Warrington Stop Smoking Service on 01925 843713.  NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk.

Issued by:  Gina Coldrick, Press  Officer
Date:    May, 2008
Release: Immediate

Notes to editors
Most addicted adult smokers begin as teenagers and the younger a person starts the greater the risk of serious diseases later in life, particularly lung cancer.  Someone who starts smoking at 15 are three times as likely to die from cancer due to smoking than someone who starts smoking in their mid-20’s.  Additionally, the younger a person starts to smoke the less likely they are to give up.  More immediate health effects include a reduction in lung function and reduced fitness.

Businesses and/or individuals that sell to under 18’s risk prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

Traders are also required by law to display warning signs in their shops and also on cigarette vending machines. Further information can be found at www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk.

Nicotine replacement therapy has been made available on prescription to 12–18 year olds for the first time and can be obtained from GPs and the NHS Stop Smoking Service.

For further information about the council’s Trading Standards Service, please visit: www.tswarrington.gov.uk

• National statistics show that in 2006, 78% of regular smokers usually bought cigarettes from shops with 66% buying from newsagents, tobacconists or sweet shops.
• Children also have easy access to vending machines, with 17% of under-age smokers reporting that they usually buy cigarettes from vending machines
• Currently 9% of 11-15 year olds in England are regular smokers but the proportion who smoke rises steeply by age, so that by the age of 15 one fifth are regular smokers (16% of boys and 25% of girls).
• Among 16-19 year olds, 23% of young men and 26% of women are smokers.
• A lifelong smoker has a one in two chance of their addiction killing them.
• The younger a smoker starts the more likely they are to be killed by their addiction.
• The earlier children become regular smokers and continue to smoke as adults, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease.
• Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times as likely to die from cancer due to smoking than someone who starts in their mid-20s.
• 80% of smokers take up their habit as teenagers
• 450 children start smoking every day
• Two fifths (39%) of pupils have tried smoking at least once.