James Evison 18 November 2016

Vaping products included in tobacco council survey

E-cigarettes and products associated with vaping have been included in a survey of the activity of council trading standards teams for the first time.

The annual National Tobacco Control Survey report, which analyses compliance with tobacco legislation, found 74% of councils had conducted tobacco control activities in relation to underage sales of nicotine inhaling products.

If follows changes to the law in October 2015, when sale of nicotine inhaling products to under-18s became prohibited.

But the report also discovered the number of councils carrying out traditional tobacco control activities relating to underage sales had fallen 17%.

59% of councils undertook test purchase operations but sales levels were higher than tobacco products at 36%.

In total 877 visits to various premises were undertaken by volunteer young persons, with the majority of underage sales occurring at market stalls and car boot sales - 61%.

Leon Livermore, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute said e-cigarette use amongst children was relatively rare – but experimentation and awareness was increasing among the demographic.

Livermore said: 'Although young people say their major source of cigarettes is being given them from other people, nearly half of young people admit buying their cigarettes from a shop.

'Trading standards teams play a frontline role in preventing children from obtaining any type of cigarette product and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against retailers that flout the law.

'The law states that if you sell nicotine inhaling products to a person under the age of 18 the maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of £2,500.'

Nicola Blackwood, the Public Health Minister, said it was encouraging to see e-cigarettes being monitored in the survey.

She said: 'Businesses supported a minimum age of sale for these products and this is a helpful reminder of the new legislation.'

The report surveyed trading standards activity across 151 councils in England from April 2015 to March 2016 - returning a response rate of 98%.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner