A Retailers’ Charter is to be adopted in Aberdeen to control the access young people to tobacco and vaping products.
Councillors from the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee yesterday (Tuesday 5th September) heard of the growing issues in the city of “proxy purchasing” of tobacco and Nicotine Vaping Products, particularly Single-Use NVPs, known as vapes.
“Proxy purchasing” refers to adults buying age-restricted products on behalf of young people who are too young to purchase them for themselves.
This is a criminal offence enforced by Aberdeen City Council’s Trading Standards Service, however it is often difficult to detect and prove.
The Retailers’ Charter will attempt to work with retailers to highlight ways to spot and prevent this behaviour, whilst maintaining focus on existing legal responsibilities in respect of age restricted products.
Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, Convener Councillor Miranda Radley, said: “There is increasing public concern about young people accessing tobacco and vaping products and the negative effects that this can have on their health.
“We need to continue to work with retailers to ensure that young people do not gain access to these products and ensure that retailers remain aware of their legal responsibility.”
Vice convener Councillor Dell Henrickson said: “We are committed to ensuring that the health and wellbeing of our city’s youth remains a top priority.
“The health effects of tobacco and vaping products is alarming, particularly in young people, and it is crucial that we work with retailers to tackle this issue.”