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Are
some more dangerous than others?
Useful
web links for retailers
Because of the wide range of products that can be abused and the rapid rate at which brand names and packaging are varied within the modern retail world, it is impossible to produce a comprehensive up-to-date list of all those products that can be abused.
There are hundreds of products that can be abused. Some of these are more commonly sniffed than others. The products to be aware of are:
Butane gas cigarette lighter refills
Liquefied domestic gas
Solvent based adhesives
Deodorant aerosols
Pain relief sprays
Aerosol air fresheners
Hairspray
Other aerosols
Some typewriter correction fluids
Petrol
Certain paints, paint thinners & removers
Dry-cleaning agents
Petrol lighter fuel
Nail varnish & varnish remover
Shoe & metal polish
Plaster remover
All products can be dangerous if they are misused. Working from the latest solvent abuse mortality figures for 1998, the product currently responsible for the most deaths is butane gas cigarette lighter refills. In 1998, they were linked to 56% of all VSA deaths, the highest percentage ever recorded for the second consecutive year. This doesn't mean that other products, such as aerosols and adhesives are less dangerous. If the retailer is in any doubt about the intended use of the product - the sale should be refused.
The Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This Act makes it an offence for a person to supply or offer to supply products to anyone under the age of 18 knowing or suspecting that those products are going to be abused. The law doesn't give a list of substances, so it is up to the retailer to decide.
In Scotland the law is slightly different. Scottish Common Law provides for a similar offence of 'recklessly' selling substances knowing they are going to be abused. There isn't an age limit and 'reckless' sales to over 18s have resulted in fines and prison sentences.
The Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999 make it an offence for retailers to supply cigarette lighter refills containing butane to anyone under the age of 18. The penalty for breaking this law or the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 is a maximum fine of £5000 or up to 6 months in prison or both.
There are many thing retailers can do to ensure that they are not breaking the law:
Staff
training is crucial.
You and your staff must know the law and feel confident in refusing sales
if they know or suspect that that product is going to be abused.
Display
signs around your premises so that customers are aware of the law and the
shops position. Stickers are available from DCOS tel 01304 614731.
You
may decide to keep certain products behind the counter to deter potential
abusers.