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SALES of tobacco to children in Moray have fallen by almost 40% in the past four years, according to new figures.
Numbers released today indicate that 19% of 15-year-old smokers bought cigarettes from shops in 2010, compared to 58% in 2006.
However, while the drop has been welcomed by Moray trading standards officers, a recent survey also shows that 54% of young smokers are succeeding in having somebody else buy their tobacco for them.
According to Moray Trading Standards manager Peter Adamson, the improved numbers are a result of retailers being more careful about who they sell to.
"Moray retailers are to be congratulated," he said.
"Raising the legal age of purchase to 18 and a sustained programme of trading standards advice and enforcement have helped. However, the trade must take most of the credit."
The new figures come from an NHS survey of the alcohol, tobacco and drug use habits of 13 and 15-year-olds in Scotland.
The study is carried out every four years and involved over 37,000 school pupils, including almost 600 students from seven Moray secondary schools.
Councillor Stewart Cree, the chairman of Moray Councils planning and regulatory services committee, described the fall in the number of over-the-counter sales to under-18s as "very welcome" and "making a valuable contribution to improved health through reducing smoking".
"Moray traders are leading the way in restricting cigarette sales to under-18s," he continued.
"Trading Standards are looking into ways of tackling proxy sales where an older person buys on behalf of someone under 18 and they are keen to work with the trade, public and other partners to identify where proxy sales are taking place."
Legislation introduced in 2010 makes it an offence to buy tobacco on behalf of someone under 18, with a maximum fine of £5,000. It is also an offence for anyone under 18 to attempt to buy cigarettes.
by Joe Millican Northern Scot 12/01/2012