New laws making it illegal for those under 18 to buy cigarettes and knives have come into force. From Monday, October 1, the age at which a person can be sold tobacco products - including cigarettes, cigars, loose rolling tobacco or rolling paper- rose from 16 to 18.
The change is designed to reduce the number of people taking up smoking in their teens. Any retailer found selling tobacco products to under-18s will face penalties of up to £2,500. Sellers of tobacco products such as shops, petrol stations, off-licences and vending machine must also display proper signage warning that it is illegal to do so. Failure to display such signage may result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Monday, October 1, also saw a similar increase in the legal age to buy knives. Anyone selling knives (including axes, un-enclosed razor blades, and other articles containing sharpened blades) to a person under 18 could face a penalty of £5000, a six months prison sentence, or both.
Folding pocket knives with a cutting edge less than 3" (7.6cm) are exempt. Nigel Watts, trading standards manager with Pembrokeshire County Council welcomed the changes.
"The increase in the legal age to purchase knives, cigarettes and other tobacco products to 18, will mean that the legal age restrictions on alcohol, fireworks and cigarettes and knives will all now be harmonised at 18 years," he said.
"This should make it easier for businesses and their employees to apply the law correctly. I would also remind shops that they need to train their employees in the new requirements, and that if in doubt about a purchasers age they should not serve without satisfactory proof of a persons age. "The only recommended forms of ID for this purpose are photo driving licences, passports and 'PASS- approved' proof of age cards such as the Validate Card." Further information and business advice regarding all age-restricted products can be found from the Wales Heads of Trading Standards (WHoTS) website at http://www.tradingstandardswales.org.uk/">http://www.tradingstandardswales.org.uk/ index.asp?itemid=37website Alternatively, advice can be sought from the Trading Standards Team at Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551.