SHOPS FLOUTING LAW ON CIGARETTES AND DRINK FOR YOUNG

One in six shops is breaking the law by selling goods such as cigarettes
and alcohol to children, and a government minister yesterday laid much of
the blame on parents.

Kim Howells, the consumer affairs minister, acknowledged that it was
difficult for shopkeepers to tell the age of teenagers, and suggested the
problem was made worse by parents who condoned smoking and drinking by
children.

A survey by trading standards officers in England and Wales found that
children aged between 10 and 14 were sold items such as cigarettes, adult
videos, knives and lottery tickets. Of 2,388 premises visited, young
volunteers were sold age-restricted goods in 412. They were asked for their
age in 725 shops, and for further proof in 402.

Some local authorities run proof-of-age schemes, but there is no national
system. Children encounter problems when they attempt to buy goods in areas
where their card is not recognised; only a nationally recognised
proof-of-age scheme would solve the problem, trading standards officers said.

The Trading Standards Institute, which revealed the findings at the offices
of the national lottery operator, Camelot, called on the government to
introduce legislation forcing all local authorities to run a proof-of-age
scheme. Mr Howells, however, said that such legislation would raise
concerns about the introduction of a national identity card. This was a
"politically sensitive issue", he said.

Shopkeepers' difficulties are compounded by different age limits. No one
under 18 can buy alcohol or solvents, but cigarettes and knives can be sold
to 16-year-olds. A 14-year-old can buy an airgun, but he must wait until he
is 17 before he can be sold a crossbow.

The institute called for a review of the age laws, and said the limits for
tobacco and lottery ticket sales should be raised to 18. Mr Howells said
that, as a parent, he personally would support such a move. He criticised
parents who smoke in front of their children, and accused many of condoning
under-age smoking. "They know their children are doing this, but they don't
seem to mind," he said.

Trading standards officers also claimed they did not have enough powers. In
Scotland, guidelines prevented them from sending children into shops to
test whether traders were abiding by the law, and in any case, evidence
gathered in such means was inadmissible in court. The Scottish executive
said proposals for a change in the law had been considered and rejected,
because they would run contrary to attempts to keep children out of adult
courts in Scotland.

Camelot, which is sponsoring national consumer week beginning on Monday,
has produced two information leaflets about age-restricted products.