Rugby store sells cigarettes to child

CIGARETTES were sold to a child by a Rugby shop during an undercover operation.

A child volunteer was asked to try to buy cigarettes at the unnamed store as part of an investigation by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

The service said it would “name and shame” any stores or individuals that are prosecuted, pending further investigation.

Warwickshire County Council's community safety spokesman Les Caborn said: “It is extremely disappointing when any retailer sells cigarettes to a child and our Trading Standards Officers will be carrying out further investigations in to the circumstances behind these sales.

“We know that most people who take up smoking do so before they reach the age of 18, which is why it is so important that we try to ensure that retailers take their responsibilities seriously and not sell to children.”

Officers visited seven cigarette retailers located in Atherstone, Rugby, Nuneaton, Warwick and Leamington Spa. The premises were chosen based on gathered intelligence. A shop in Nuneaton also sold cigarettes to the child volunteer.

Councillor Angela Warner, Chair of Smokefree Warwickshire Partnership, added: "We know that most young people do not smoke. By ignoring the law, irresponsible retailers are encouraging children to develop a lifelong harmful addiction and undermining our goal of a smoke-free generation".

Warwickshire Trading Standards is the body responsible for enforcing age-restricted product laws. It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18.

The service will continue carrying out undercover test purchase exercises across the county.

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