Written Question · S2W-14499 · Session 2
Further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S2O-5269 by Rhona Brankin on 3 February 2005, what meetings have tak…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S2O-5269 by Rhona Brankin on 3 February 2005, what meetings have taken place between the Deputy Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice on the subject of prosecuting shopkeepers who sell tobacco products to minors; what further meetings are scheduled and for which dates, and what the outcome was of those meetings which have already taken place.
The answer
Following evaluation of the “Test Purchasing Pilots” carried out in Scotland, the Lord Advocate announced his decision on 4 March 2005 to revise prosecution policy to allow evidence gained from test purchasing by children of age restricted goods, including tobacco products to be admissible. This will give Trading Standards Officers a useful tool to combat and reduce underage sales. The Scottish Executive will fund training for Trading Standards Officers to ensure that test purchasing is carried out fairly and safely and the protection of children participating will remain paramount.
In addition, the Scottish Executive is funding Young Scot and the Scottish Retail Consortium to produce information and training packs for retailers on how to avoid sales of age restricted goods to underage children. The continuing roll out of the “PASS” accredited Young Scot Card across Scotland, which includes an accredited proof of age element, will enable retailers to apply “no proof no sale” to all age restricted goods.
The Health Department will continue to keep closely in touch with the Crown Office and the Justice Department in relation to the roll-out of test purchasing and the other work which the Executive is taking forward on age restricted goods. In view of these developments, I no longer feel a meeting with the Justice Minister to specifically discuss the subject of prosecuting shopkeepers who sell tobacco products to minors is necessary at this time.
In addition, the Scottish Executive is funding Young Scot and the Scottish Retail Consortium to produce information and training packs for retailers on how to avoid sales of age restricted goods to underage children. The continuing roll out of the “PASS” accredited Young Scot Card across Scotland, which includes an accredited proof of age element, will enable retailers to apply “no proof no sale” to all age restricted goods.
The Health Department will continue to keep closely in touch with the Crown Office and the Justice Department in relation to the roll-out of test purchasing and the other work which the Executive is taking forward on age restricted goods. In view of these developments, I no longer feel a meeting with the Justice Minister to specifically discuss the subject of prosecuting shopkeepers who sell tobacco products to minors is necessary at this time.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-14499 by reference.