Lighter gas sold to underage volunteer in the Highlands
A fresh warning has gone out from Highland Council to retailers that it is an offence to sell cigarette lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18.
This follows a recent undercover test purchasing exercise which resulted in a Caithness retailer selling a canister of gas lighter refill containing butane gas to an under-age customer.
The test purchasing exercise was carried out following concerns raised by NHS Highland’s Youth Action Service and the Caithness and Sutherland Drug and Alcohol forums to an issue of substance misuse reported in the area.
Trading Standards Manager, Gordon Robb, said: “NHS Highland approached us with their concerns, and as the enforcement body responsible for the laws relating to the sale of these products we took action by carrying out test purchasing.”
Marina Clayton, Scottish Development Manager for the charity Re-Solv said: “The effort being made by NHS Highland and Highland Trading Standards, together with the support of the retail community in the region, helps Re-Solv in our commitment to reduce the deaths and harms that can result from the abuse of everyday household products.
“Solvent abuse can kill on the very first attempt, so prevention is everything. There may never be a second chance to raise awareness of the dangers or to educate the community. Re-Solv will continue to work with Highland Trading Standards to ensure that every possible avenue is explored in combating solvent abuse”.
Mr Robb said the Counciol would continue to carry out test purchasing of this and other age restricted products to ensure trader compliance.
