BUSINESSES in East Lothian have passed test purchasing by under-18 volunteers attempting to buy tobacco at their stores.

Last week, the first series of tobacco test purchases was carried out by the volunteers, visiting seven traders in East Lothian.

The premises varied from large stores to small ‘corner’ shops, and all those tested refused the volunteers sale.

It is a criminal offence to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.

East Lothian Council’s Trading Standards team has a legal duty to enforce the law in this regard and must carry out a programme of enforcement action in its area every 12 months.

The most effective way to gauge compliance is to conduct a test-purchasing exercise by under-18 volunteers, under the scrutiny of Trading Standards staff.

Derek Gray, principal Trading Standards officer, said: “I’m pleased to report that no attempts to purchase tobacco were successful.

"Well done to those premises visited who refused to sell to the young volunteer.

"Over the next few months, more exercises of this nature will be undertaken throughout the county and I’m hoping for more positive results from our traders.”

Councillor Tim Day, spokesperson for community wellbeing, said: “It’s very good news that traders passed this test with flying colours.

"It’s absolutely right that selling tobacco to those under 18 is a criminal offence, so I echo Derek’s hopes that shops visited in the next few months under the test purchasing scheme return the same great result.

"This shows that East Lothian Council takes its statutory duties very seriously and we will take action against any trader demonstrated to be breaking the law.”