MEDIA INFORMATION For immediate release
JTI Invests £400,000 to tackle underage sales in the North West
United Kingdom, 21 November 2013 – JTI, one of the UK’s leading tobacco manufacturers, is launching a new initiative to support its retail partners in complying with the law on underage sales.
Serve Legal, an independent test purchase service for retailers of age restricted products, carried out a series of test purchases using people over the age of 18. Over the last nine weeks this exercise has tested the robustness of age verification procedures. The aim is to develop a training package to help ensure that retailers challenge for ID and are not at risk of selling cigarettes to people under the age of 18.
Beginning this autumn, across the North West of England, the JTI pilot scheme will support and develop the knowledge of independent and convenience retailers in the vital area of youth access prevention for age restricted goods.
In a recent survey of 500 independent retailers, conducted by JTI, nearly a third of respondents (32%) admitted that they did not have any formal training for their staff to prevent under age sales. This scheme has been developed to support retailers, their staff and their business.
The investment of £400,000 into this first pilot scheme demonstrates JTI’s commitment to youth smoking prevention, and its desire to train and develop retailers when it comes to this crucial area. The support available incorporates three core elements: compliance testing, staff training and strengthening the ‘No ID, No Sale’ campaign.
Paul Williams, JTI’s Head of Corporate Affairs, says, “In the UK, the good news is the percentage of underage smokers is falling, however the North West has historically been a region with one of the highest levels of underage smoking. JTI’s position is clear, children should not smoke, and JTI is committed to playing a role in ensuring that children do not have
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access to tobacco products. We are pleased to be able to support retailers and their staff with the tools and training that they need.”
Williams continues, “Whilst this Youth Access Prevention campaign is focussed on the retail trade it is important to recognise that nearly 50% of children claimed to have access to cigarettes through peer groups or family and 15% through other sources, including illegal traders1. It is imperative that legitimate retailers and their staff stay up to date with the law, as a failure to do so could put them and their business at risk.
“Through a combination of test purchasing to see which businesses may be under threat and training for those that need assistance, we will raise performance levels in this crucial area. There can be no excuses for poor performance, and by supporting retailers, particularly those who may not be able to fund their own training in this area, we hope to raise standards.”
There are some great examples of strong performance in the area of preventing underage sales and 67% of retailers surveyed said that they felt testing is an effective way to increase standards. These reatilers believe more should be done to share positive feedback to reassure those that pass compliance tests of the effectiveness of their procedures.
Shane Brennan, Public Affairs Director at the Association of Convenience Stores, added, “ACS welcomes the JTI's commitment to this programme. Preventing sales of all age restricted products, not just tobacco, is a 24/7 challenge for retailers. They face tough penalties for any mistakes or oversights and there is no excuse for poor standards, training or procedures. The JTI pilot scheme which includes professional training is a great example of a major manufacturer supporting retailers to raise standards. I would encourage retailers to take advantage of this free support.”
Tony Allen, Managing Director of Under Age Sales Ltd said, “We specialise in helping small independent retailers to tackle underage sales through improving their systems, staff training and approach. It is concerning that so many still don’t have adequate staff training in place and we have welcomed JTI’s commitment to bring additional support to them.”
1 Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2012, ONS
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For more information and support retailers should visit www.tobaccoretailing.com and www.noidnosale.com
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For further information, please contact: Jeremy Blackburn – Head of Communications, JTI UK 01932 372000
JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, a leading international tobacco product manufacturer. It markets world-renowned brands such as Winston, Mild Seven and Camel. Other global brands include Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, Sobranie, Glamour and LD. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and core revenue of USD 11.8 billion in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, JTI has operations in more than 120 countries and about 25,000 employees. For more information, visit www.jti.com.
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