16/09/2009 - Tobacco regularly sold to children
Magistrates have been urged to impose stiffer sentences on shopkeepers caught selling cigarettes to children.
The Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) called for the penalties after their research revealed that retailers who break the law were often given a "slap on the wrist" rather than a substantial fine to teach them a lesson.
LACORS said a third of fines issued to 72 shop owners were less less than £100 and 79% were under £350, adding that children were able to buy cigarettes in 58% of the test purchases carried out.
Lacors chairman Paul Bettison said: "Councils are doing everything in their power to protect young people from the dangers of smoking but retailers caught selling to minors are effectively only being slapped on the wrist with minuscule fines.
"It is time for magistrates to hit those retailers that have a blatant disregard of the law and children's health with higher fines that act as a deterrent."
It has been illegal for under-18s to buy tobacco products since the law was changed in October 2007.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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