Information on Loughborough

Change in Tobacco sales Laws

Posted on 28/09/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

A Loughborough related pack of cigarettesShops across Loughborough are preparing for the national law change regarding the sale of tobacco this coming Monday. On the 1st October it will be illegal for anyone to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. This not only covers tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco but also things such as rolling papers.

So even if you are 17, and have been buying cigarettes for the last year it will now be illegal for you o buy them until you are 18. Leicestershire Trading standards that covers Loughborough regularly sees if traders in the area sell tobacco to people under the age of 16 (the present law) and no doubt will be trying to see if local stops take heed of the new legislation and are prepared to sell to people under the age of 18. Fortunately the message seems to be getting through to tobacconists and the number and proportion of illegal tobacco sales has fallen in the area and this is despite an increase in the number of tests trading standards have put vendors through.

Hopefully the decrease in the availability of tobacco to the 200,000 people between the ages of 16 and 18 in the country will help the youngsters to give up the filthy habit and deter others from starting this life shortening habit. It is estimated that 80% of smokers become addicted to nicotine before their 18th birthday.

Retailers and shop workers in Loughborough need to be aware of several facts if they are selling tobacco:

  • They must display an A3 sign saying "it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18
  • Tobacco Vending machines must have a similar sign, no smaller that 60mm x 100mm.
  • Failing to display the sign can result in a fine of £1,000
  • Selling tobacco to someone under the age of 18 could result in a fine of £2,500
  • Shop assistants who sell tobacco to someone under the age of 18 could be fined and get a criminal record.

Paul Stratton, Health Improvement Principal for the Leicestershire County and Rutland Primary Care Trust, told inLoughborough "I would encourage young people to see this as an opportunity to quit. From a recent major questionnaire carried out in 10 schools in Leicestershire amongst Years 10 and 11 (ages 14 to 16) we found smoking prevalence at 24% with some schools in excess of 30%. Once children start to smoke they become addicted very quickly and tend to continue the habit into adult life. If young people wish to quit they can contact their local School Nurse or contact  Resolution, the NHS stop smoking service, who can provide advice and support free of charge to anyone living or working in the County.  Contact us on 0845 045 2828.

Smokers seem to be having a bad time of it recently, no longer able to smoke at work or when they go out to a pub or club. However there are worse things on the horizon. The new highway code that was released a little while ago could make it illegal for you to smoke in your car whilst driving. Seriously. It seems that drivers who smoke whilst at the wheel of their car could be charged without due care and attention. Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said "What it says is that drivers should remember they have to concentrate and they shouldnt be distracted either by passengers, by loud music, by reading a map, or using a mobile phone or by smoking.

Now arent they taking it a little too far this time? OK, non smokers should be protected from second hand smoke but surely by the same token you shouldnt have your children in the car who can be more than a little distracting, are we going to ban radio shows like radio4 where you might actually listen to it? I want to say Nanny State at this point ......