Volunteers needed for Test Purchasing

It is estimated that 44% of under-age smokers buy their cigarettes from shops and over £100 million worth of cigarettes are believed to be sold to children every year.

Our aim is to get retailers to comply with the law relating to underage sales and bring this figure down.

Volunteers needed

We are looking for volunteers aged 15 and 16½ to help with tobacco, alcohol, firework and solvent test purchasing to check shops are complying with the laws on underage sales. If you are interested in helping us on an evening, weekend or school holiday, then please contact us.

Volunteers work under close supervision and in accordance with best practice procedures. We will visit volunteers and their parents first to discuss and explain matters fully.

The volunteers will be asked to enter shops and attempt to purchase age restricted products. They will be accompanied by an officer at all times. In carrying out test purchasing exercises we will ensure that the welfare considerations of the young people are paramount.

Volunteers would not have to visit premises near where they live, or close to their school. It is often helpful for two friends to help us together. Although we cannot pay the volunteers we do provide refreshments throughout the day. A certificate that can be used for Record of Achievement/Citizenship portfolios is also provided.

The Facts

Cigarettes

Nicotine is highly addictive and is heavy marketed at young people by the tobacco industry. The earlier young people start to smoke, the more likely they are to remain smokers and expose themselves to potentially fatal diseases.

Alcohol

Alcohol when taken in excess can be responsible for a wide range of health problems. There has been a large increase in liver disease in recent years. It can also lead to behaviour problems.

Solvents

Some young people buy cigarette lighters refills and sniff the contents to intoxicate themselves. In 2001 there were 63 deaths associated with volatile substance abuse. It is an offence for traders to sell cigarette lighters refills to anyone under 18yrs regardless of their intended use.

Parents

We need Parents to be the eyes and ears on the street and to inform us if you believe there is a trader who is selling alcohol, cigarettes etc to underage people, whether it be deliberately ot carelessly. In supplying us with such information we can concentrate our efforts on the real offenders.

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