Six out of sixteen Moray shops illegally sold butane lighter refills to 16 year olds in a Trading Standards test purchase exercise.  Butane is very dangerous if abused.  Eight people died as a result of solvent abuse in Scotland during 2002, five of these from sniffing butane lighter refills.

Mike O’Hare, Principal Trading Standards Officer with Moray Council commented,  “I am very concerned about these sales.  Butane lighter refills are a real danger to young people.  It is vital that retailers are aware of these dangers and have systems in place to prevent underage sales.  Six out of sixteen is a worryingly high number of sales considering the danger posed by the misuse of butane.   The sales took place a matter of weeks after a Scottish Executive publicity campaign targeted at retailers on the dangers of butane lighter refills”.

The advice to retailers is clear, ‘No Proof - No Sale’.  The only acceptable proof of age is a passport, photo driving licence or card with the ‘PASS’ hologram, including the new Access Moray card, which is currently being rolled out to all secondary school children in Moray. 

Trading Standards plan further test purchases.  Any retailers found selling butane may be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.  The maximum fine is £5,000.

Contact: Joyce Pirie, Public Relations Co-ordinator on 01343 563046