Trading Standards

Age Related Sales

It is an offence to sell cigarettes, other tobacco products or cigarette papers to anyone under 18 even if they look older.
This is the case whether or not the cigarettes are for the young person's own use.
If you are not sure that the customer is over the age of 18 and they appear to be within a few years of this age, ask for proof of age.
If you are still not sure refuse the sale.
Selling cigarettes to someone under 18 could lead to a fine of up to £2,500.
It is an offence to break a pack and sell cigarettes singly from it to anyone, child or adult you could be fined up top £1,000.
A warning notice must be displayed in a prominent position at tobacco retailers' saying, "It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18". The sign must be A3 size (297mm X 420mm) and each character must be 6mm in height. (This sign can be obtained from Trading Standards).
If you do not display this warning notice where it can be easily seen you could be fined £1,000.
Tobacco vending machines must have the following warning on them: "This vending machine is only for the use of people aged 18 or over."
Vending machines should be located in a position which allows them to be properly supervised to prevent sales to children.
Underage Sales of Tobacco Project

The percentage of young people smoking regularly in Ayrshire and Arran is around 13% with the average age for young people starting to smoke being 11-12 years.
86% of regular smokers in South Ayrshire between 13-15 years indicated that they bought cigarettes from shops.

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