Published on:
02
March 2011
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards are alerting local tobacco retailers that new rules for selling tobacco will be introduced on Friday 1st April 2011. The new rules mean that all retailers who sell tobacco products must be registered.
The new legislation is designed to make tobacco products less available to under 18s and is designed to crack down on underage tobacco sale and underage smoking. Tobacco products consist wholly or partly of tobacco and intended to be smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed.
Registration packs will be posted to local retailers from March 7, 2011 onwards and they will have until October 1st, 2011 to register. The pack will contain instructions on how to register and will also contain signs that can be displayed in store.
The registration process has been designed to be as straightforward as possible and can be carried out either by completing the form and returning it or by going online to www.tobaccoregisterscotland.org and completing the web-based form. There is no charge for registering. Forms can be downloaded from the website or can be obtained from Trading Standards or by calling the Scottish Executive on 0131 244 2169.
Trading Standards urge retailers to sign up as soon as possible as after the October 1st deadline, it will be illegal for a retailer to sell tobacco products if they are not registered. The penalty for the offence could be a fine up to £20,000, prison for up to 6 months or both.
As well as introducing the register the new legislation will also make it an offence for anyone under 18 to buy or attempt to buy tobacco products, which includes cigarette papers. If a person under the age of 18 is found to be in possession of a tobacco product in a public place and fail to surrender these items on request from the Police, they will also be breaking the law. It will also be an offence for anyone over 18 years to buy tobacco products on behalf of anyone under 18.
If you require any further assistance or would like to request a form, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards can be contact on 01786 443322.