Trading standards tests have found that one in eight premises visited in Scotland sold cigarettes to an under-18 volunteer, while 1 in 5 stores sold vapes to an underage person.
The results are “significantly worse” than trading standards expected and may in large part be caused by the child-appealing nature of vapes and their wide availability in shops and service premises.
In 2022, officers carried out test purchase operations at 312 premises across Scotland with 63 failures for vapes, and 268 attempted test purchases of tobacco with 33 failures.
David MacKenzie, Chair of SCOTSS, said: “These results are very concerning and we will be stepping up efforts this year to support sellers with advice, and continue to take enforcement action where sellers break the law.”
He added: “We would like to see the same display rules applied to NVPs that is applied to tobacco, ie they are kept out of sight in store.”
