SHOP owners in North Lanarkshire are getting the message about not selling cigarettes to children, according to the latest test purchase exercise by trading standards officers.
All 12 shops visited refused to sell cigarettes to 15-year-old volunteers and most asked for proof of age.
However, in a similar exercise a 14-year-old boy tried to buy spray paint, which should not be sold to under 16s, and he was sold it on tw
o occasions out of five.
North Lanarkshire trading standards manager Dave Roderick said: "No sales out of 12 attempted purchases is heartening. One of the premises was visited for a second time, having previously sold to our young volunteers, and had patently taken on board my officers' warnings and education message.
"However, the spray paint results are disappointing especially when we are dealing with such a potentially destructive product. The trading standards service had been asked to carry out this exercise after an increase in graffiti in the area and growing concerns with local youths 'tagging' buildings."
Helen McKenna, convener of the council's environmental services committee, said: "Traders seem to be accepting that they and their shop staff should systematically ask for proof of age. By continuing this attitude we can help prevent many youngsters taking up smoking.
"When it comes to spray paint, it is important that retailers take their obligations seriously and ensure their staff are trained to comply with the legislation and routinely ask for proof of age. The anti-social use of paint costs the council more than £230,000 per year to clean up."
Anyone who suspects traders are selling age-restricted products to those under age should call trading standards on 332645.
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