An action plan is under way to stub out underage smoking in Fife, where the highest number of 13 and 15-year-olds in Scotland are addicted to tobacco.
Members of the safer communities committee approved the Sale of Tobacco Enforcement Plan 2015-16, after considering a report which revealed 7.6% of 13 and 15-year-olds who took part in a national survey regularly smoked.
The findings, revealed by the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (Salsus), also showed that 21% of the smokers surveyed bought from shops.
Under the new enforcement plan Fife Council has a duty to advise and educate tobacco sellers on their legal obligations and check premises comply with the ban on cigarette vending machines and displays of tobacco.
Shopkeepers who sell tobacco must also display relevant warning notices and ensure their premises are registered with the Scottish Government for the sale of tobacco.
Also under the plan a programme of test purchasing using teenage volunteers will be carried out to check compliance with the legislation and premises will be targeted for investigation where complaints have been made alleging sales of tobacco to under-18s.
Those who do not comply face a set £200 fine for most breaches although this fine could be escalated for subsequent infringements.
The local authority can apply for a banning order to prevent a retailer selling tobacco from a particular premises where they have been the subject of a three or more relevant enforcement actions within a two-year period.
Fife Council’s senior manager for protective services, Roy Stewart, said that although Fife had the highest percentage of regular underage smokers, it was “important to remember” the figure of 7.6% was actually the lowest since the Salsus series began in 1982.
He added: “The statistics also show that young people have been discouraged from buying cigarettes from shops by 27% between 2010 and 2013.
“Much of the credit for this lies with the service’s commitment to implementing the Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Programme in Fife and the cooperation of the vast majority of Fife’s tobacco retailers.”
Mr Stewart said there had also been “a great deal of work” taking place behind the scenes to tackle the issue over the last year.
“During 2014-15, 20 age-restricted products workshops were delivered in four high schools and information and advice was provided at three campuses of Fife College during Fresher’s Week.
“An educational DVD has also been produced here in Fife.”