Fines 'too low' for shopkeepers caught selling tobacco to children

Monday, 14 September 2009

Shop owners caught selling cigarettes to children are getting off too lightly when cases go to court, according to Trading Standards in a new report out today.

The research, conducted with council trading standards services by LACORS (Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services), shows that, from 72 fines, 33% of fines handed to shop owners were less than £100 and 79% of fines were less than £350.

The report also revealed that children were able to get cigarettes from vending machines in over half (58%) of all test purchases conducted by councils in England and that one in five shops was willing to sell tobacco products to the children.

Complaints and enquiries about under-age sales were very common with 91% of trading standards officers reporting that they had received them.

Nearly three-quarters of all councils have education or publicity initiatives on under-age tobacco sales aimed at retailers, but it seems a small minority of shops are still selling tobacco to minors.

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.

"A fine of less than £100 is hardly enough to make a shop keeper think twice about selling to children.

"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.

"This research also makes it clear that uncontrolled vending machines are a real danger to children.

"Under-age smoking is an issue on which the community must join together.

"Parents, councils and businesses must step up efforts to keep young people from becoming the next generation of cigarette addicts.

"Our research has shown that more work must be done with businesses to make sure that they request ID every time a young person tries to buy cigarettes and that people keep a stricter eye on cigarette vending machines, which present easy avenues for supply.

"The time is here for councils, business and government to come together to support parents and young people to make sure that cigarettes are only sold to those over 18."

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