UNDERAGE SMOKING A GROWING PROBLEM?
June 21, 2007 10:45 AM
One in seven shops are selling cigarettes to underage children, new research has revealed. The Liberal Democrats surveyed all 170 appropriate local authorities in England and Wales asking how many undercover operations by trading standard officers found shops illegally selling tobacco to children aged under 16. The research comes ahead of the introduction of the smoking ban in England on 1 July.
Commenting, Nick Harvey says: 'It is shocking that underage children can buy cigarettes so easily. I am aware that some local schools in North Devon have a problem with pupils smoking outside school grounds.
'Much more needs to be done to discourage young people from smoking. Increasing the age at which you can legally buy cigarettes to 18 will only help if it is actually enforced effectively.
'New laws are not enough to stop the problem of under age smoking - shops and newsagents must take a more responsible attitude.'
'Over a third of smokers started before they were 16. The upcoming ban may have some effect at persuading people to quit, but surely it is better to stop people smoking in the first place?'
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