Shops still willing to sell children cigarettes

TWO out of five shops and two out of three licensed premises are still willing to sell cigarettes to children, new research shows.

The report of the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) found that refusal rates among retailers for tobacco sales to minors are still unacceptably low.

In particular, it found that more than six out of 10 young people under the age of 18 are not prevented from using vending machines in licensed premises.