South Lanarkshire Council

The test purchasing exercise was designed to measure retailers' compliance with new legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.

The council's Consumer and Trading Standards team, which carried out the investigation between October and December last year, found that in the Rutherglen/Cambuslang area, the results were concerning - with four out of every five selling to an 18-year-old volunteer, no questions asked.

In Clydesdale the figure was 60%, whilst in Hamilton/Blantyre, one quarter of stores were happy to sell.

More than 100 retailers were visited who subscribe to 'No ID, No Sale' or 'Challenge 21 or 25' schemes and display the relevant signage. These ranged from corner shops to national supermarket chains.

The 'customers' were volunteers aged 18 who - as part of the retailers' stated commitment - should have been asked to prove their age before a sale was made. Yet, in more than 50% of cases, this didn't happen.

Helen O'Neill, Divisional Trading Standards Officer said the results were 'disappointing' and vowed that the team is ready to get tough.

She said: "These visits form part of the information, education and advice we are giving to retailers about verifying the age of people trying to buy a range of age restricted products. In essence, we were testing the integrity of their claims.

"Although the figures varied greatly from area to area, it is hugely disappointing that around half were prepared to sell tobacco products without challenge.  Whilst they may not have been breaking the law this time around, we are about to embark on an ongoing programme of test purchase visits with volunteers who will be under the age of 18.

"If a sale of tobacco is made to one of these young volunteers then a £200 fixed penalty notice will be issued to the seller. Subsequent offences will see this increase to £400 then £800 or even a possible criminal conviction.

"There will be no hiding place for those who flout the law."