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Liverpool: Survey finds that youths still able to buy cigarettes

Despite the Government's age legislation increase, young people are not deterred from purchasing tobacco products, according to a Merseyside youth group.

ATYC (Anti Tobacco Youth Campaign) surveyed its members six months since the legal age of buying tobacco products was raised from 16 years to 18 years.

More than 50% said they did not think fewer young people were buying cigarettes.

ATYC is run by young people for young people and is supported by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The young people cited putting cameras in shop doorways and issuing on-the-spot fines as the best ways to prevent underage smoking.

ATYC member Charly Southern, 17, from Childwall, said: “I don’t think the legislation is working, as although it is illegal for shopkeepers to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18, it is not illegal for 16 or 17- year-olds to smoke them. This means they will be getting other people to buy cigarettes.”

Source: Liverpool Daily Post, 18th April 2008
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