Tobacco law crackdown leads to Barrhead shop ban

A crackdown on tobacco retailers failing to meet legal requirements has led to a banning order for one and fines for two more shops.

East Renfrewshire Council’s trading standards team applied for a tobacco retail banning order against a Shopsmart store Barrhead.

An ERC spokeswoman said: “The council applied for a tobacco retail banning order against Moshin Mughal, trading as Shopsmart, 10a Springhill Road, Barrhead, after he and other members of staff sold tobacco products to volunteers of 16 years of age on three occasions.

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“Paisley Sheriff Court granted the order for 24 months in February, banning Mr Mughal from selling tobacco products from these premises.”

Trading standards has also issued fixed penalty notices of £200 to an additional two premises last month, again for supplying tobacco products to 16-year-olds.

Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, explained: “The Scottish Government is committed to reducing harm caused to young people by tobacco. Part of this is making sure retailers ask for ID to verify that buyers are over 18.”

Senior officer Mark Smith added: “Retailers who sell tobacco must comply with the various legislative requirements; this includes registering with the Scottish Government and displaying warning statement that tobacco cannot be supplied to under 18s.

“From April 6, all shops must comply with the requirement to remove all tobacco products from display.”