Scottish children to catch shopkeepers

Children are to be used to try and catch shopkeepers selling
cigarettes to under-aged young people, Scotland’s Lord Advocate
Colin Boyd QC has announced.

Criminal proceedings will now be based on evidence obtained
through the use of children in test purchasing of age-restricted
goods. In the first instance, tobacco products will be targeted but
there are implications for other goods such as alcohol.

Four areas have been chosen to pilot the scheme – Edinburgh,
Moray, Stirling and South Ayrshire – representing urban, rural and
small town environments.

Deputy health minister Mary Mulligan said: “The involvement of
young people is not an alternative to existing enforcement
measures, but it is a valuable extra weapon in the armoury. I
believe that the measures will be widely welcomed by all those with
an interest in protecting our young people.”

The scheme will be advertised over the summer and the test
purchasing is due to commence in the autumn.