Cllr McLaughlin added “It is encouraging to see our Trading Standards team working hard to combat this type of behaviour, and I hope Mrs Akbar’s fine will act as a deterrent to others who are or may be tempted to sell age restricted goods to children.”
The shop was subject of a test purchase in August 2009 and Mrs Akbar was observed selling cigarettes to a 15 year old without making any checks as to his age.
Nicky Johnston, Trading Standards Officer, said: “The shop in Montrose Street was subject of a number of complaints from concerned parents alleging that various age restricted goods were being sold to children. Acting upon this information, Trading Standard Officers included the shop in an operation to detect the sale of age restricted goods. During this operation Officers witnessed Mrs Akbar selling a packet of cigarettes to a 15 year old child without making any efforts to establish his true age. Consequently she was subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.”
Mr Johnston continued: “The laws governing tobacco sales are to be updated shortly and we will have new powers to ban repeat offenders from selling cigarettes. Whilst I am aware that the majority of shop owners trade responsibly, I would ask those who sell tobacco, and other age restricted goods, to continue to exercise vigilance in order that children do not get their hands on products which can cause them harm. Operations similar to those which detected this offence will be repeated at regular intervals and will principally be intelligence led. I have a number of complaints on my desk just now which will be followed up shortly.”
Members of the public can contact Trading Standards on 01389 738282 and by email trading.standards@west-dunbarton.gov.uk if they have concerns of illegal trading practices in their area.
