The tobacco control test-purchasing activity was carried out between April 2023 and March 2024
Six retailers have been caught selling restricted items to a 14-year-old as part of a tobacco control operation.
Four of the six retailers breached the Nicotine Inhaling Products Regulations 2021. One sale resulted in a fixed penalty notice being issued, as a number of complaints had been received prior to test-purchase exercises. The three other sales were dealt with via written warnings. The SLA provides a framework under which ABC Council provides Public Health Agency commissioned Tobacco Control Enforcement Services within the Mid Ulster area, on behalf of Mid Ulster District Council.
The aim of the exercise is to check that all retailers of age restricted products are endeavouring to prevent young people under 18 years old from purchasing any tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine inhaling products and butane gas.