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Buying cigarettes for children could cost you a packet

Smoking
Smoking

A campaign to highlight the risks of buying cigarettes for under 18s has been launched in the Highlands and Argyll.

Trading standards services in both council areas, in partnership with NHS Highland, aim to increase awareness that it is illegal for adults aged 18 or above, to knowingly buy tobacco products for an underage person.

A fixed penalty notice of £200 could be imposed and failure to pay may result in action in the criminal court.

One of the campaign posters

Attempting to buy cigarettes, tobacco or cigarette papers for a person who is under the age of 18, is known as a “proxy purchase”.

The public are being reminded that it is the person buying or attempting to buy tobacco products who is guilty of the offence, not the shopkeeper.

Around 800 posters are being distributed to registered tobacco retailers across the region.

Trading standards manager with The Highland Council, Gordon Robb, said: “We are keen to support responsible tobacco retailers in the fight against tobacco sales to children. We are aware that this is a real problem and wish to highlight the legal implications among the community, informing the public about the risks and penalties associated with proxy purchase of tobacco products and that it is individuals and not shopkeepers who must take responsibility for such actions.”