A third of shops and pubs selling tobacco to minors

ONE in three shops and pubs are still selling cigarettes to minors, a study has revealed.

Research from the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) shows despite it being a crime to sell cigarettes to people under the age of 18, many children “have an unacceptably high chance” of being sold cigarettes in shops and licensed premises all around the country.

Launched yesterday, the National Tobacco Retail Audit – 2009 Monitoring Report showed more than a third of licensed premises were still selling cigarettes to minors. However, compliance among these premises increased 28% from 37% in 2008 to 65% this year.