Crackdown on underage tobacco sales in Hertfordshire

SHOPKEEPERS who sell tobacco to underage customers have been caught out in a covert operation by Trading Standards. Hertfordshire Trading Standards sent 15-year-old volunteers into 72 shops across the county, and nine of the shops

SHOPKEEPERS who sell tobacco to underage customers have been caught out in a covert operation by Trading Standards.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards sent 15-year-old volunteers into 72 shops across the county, and nine of the shops sold cigarettes to the teens.

Of the five shops visited in Welwyn Hatfield, one was found to be making underage sales.

Guy Pratt, head of Hertfordshire Trading Standards said: "Although we were pleased to discover that the majority of shopkeepers are abiding by the law, operations like this show that some still decide to flout it.

"Retailers selling age-restricted goods should adopt a Challenge 21 policy where if a customer looks under 21 they should then be asked to prove they are 18."

Trading Standards reminded shopkeepers that acceptable forms of identification are PASS-approved ID cards, photo-driving licences or passports.

Members of the public can report shops which are selling alcohol or cigarettes to underage customers to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.