David Burrowes MP

Conservative Party | Enfield Southgate

Local MP attempts to introduce new law against purchase of tobacco by under 18s

3 December 2007

Local MP, David Burrowes has been responding to calls from local retailers, led by the British Retail Consortium and Association of Small Shops, for new laws which tackle underage sale and purchase of tobacco in a fair and proportionate way.

David Burrowes believes that the Government’s new underage tobacco laws come down too heavily on independent retailers, alleviating responsibility from young people who purchase tobacco underage.

The legislation, to be covered by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, would allow magistrates to ban shops and individuals from selling tobacco for a year if caught supplying it to under 18s.

Last week David Burrowes MP tabled amendments which would make it an offence for under 18 year olds to buy tobacco, bringing legislation into line with alcohol. David also proposed that a high proportion of underage sales in a shorter three month period should be punished through a briefer three month ban on selling tobacco.

David Burrowes said: "The aim should not be to catch responsible retailers out but instead to make young people take responsibility for their actions. The new offence will need to be enforced carefully so that persistent sellers of underage tobacco are targeted and not responsible retailers. The penalty is severe with the threat of tobacco sales being removed which makes up to a quarter of all sales."

In debate last week David highlighted the disparity between the Government's approach to underage alcohol purchases and tobacco purchases.

David commented: “There needs to be a consistent approach to the way that we deal with alcohol and tobacco sales and enforcement. Under 18 year olds need to be deterred from going into a shop in order to purchase alcohol or tobacco.”

The Government promised to consider the amendments as the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill continues its passage through Parliament.