Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council are backing a new campaign aimed at tackling the underage sale of age-restricted products, including alcohol, vapes, knives, and tobacco with an aim to protect young people from harmful products.
Running throughout Staffordshire, the "Right Age, Right Sale" campaign highlights the importance of retail compliance, community awareness, and enforcement action in preventing underage access to harmful products.
It also provides advice for businesses, parents, carers, and communities on how to spot and report illegal sales.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Staffordshire County Council said, "Underage sales laws exist to protect young people, but when these laws aren’t followed, it can lead to serious risks to young people’s health and safety.
"It’s really important that businesses are aware of their responsibilities and comply with the law. By working with them and with the local community and making sure they have the information they need we can all help to prevent illegal sales and protect young people.”
Businesses are urged to ensure they are following Challenge 25 policies, checking ID properly, and preventing proxy sales (where adults purchase restricted products on behalf of underage individuals).
Lat month, two convenience stores in Stoke-on-Trent with a long history of selling illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes were issued with closure notices by Trading Standards.
As reported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Abbey Hulton Supermarket on Leek Road and Easy Shop on Weston Road in Meir in Staffordshire have history of supplying illegal products and have been subject to enforcement action multiple times.
