Traders Alerted To Increase In
Age Limits |
11 Oct 2007 |
South Tyneside Council's Trading Standards service
is taking a proactive role in advising local businesses
of recent changes in the law relating to the sale of
tobacco and knives.
The legal age for purchasing tobacco and knives increased
from 16 to 18 years old from the beginning of the month.
In order to make traders aware of the changes, Trading
Standards have issued guidance packs to retailers containing
information about the sale of all age-restricted products,
as well as statutory notices and other useful aids
such as books to register refusals of sales.
Additionally, all off-licence premises are receiving
a DVD entitled Age Matters...The Price to Pay, highlighting
the dangers and consequences of supplying age-restricted
goods.
Councillor Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Safer and
Stronger Communities, said: "Under-age sales are
a very serious issue that the council is strongly committed
to tackling. Providing guidance to traders is one measure
that will assist in the prevention of under-age sales,
as well as reducing associated anti-social behaviour
and health-related problems."
The packs have been distributed across the Borough
and traders are reminded to complete and return the
acknowledgement receipt enclosed within the pack. Any
retailer who sells age-restricted products and has
yet to receive a pack can contact Trading Standards
on 0191 424 7878.
If anyone has any information regarding underage sales,
they can report it to Trading Standards using the dedicated
confidential hotline number 0800 093 5878, or text
the word UNDERAGE to 0778 620 0802 or online at www.reportitonline.co.uk.
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