§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review urgently the terms of the law and the level of penalties for breaches of the law relating to sales of cigarettes to young persons, in view of the increasing medical evidence of the dangers of smoking.
§ Mr. John PattenI have been asked to reply.
We see no need at present for a review of the terms of the law, but I am concerned that the existing law should be complied with. To this end I am having discussions with the retail trade. So far as the level of penalties is concerned, I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department intends to make an order next year raising the maximum fine for this offence to £400.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps he has taken to publicise the law relating to the sale of cigarettes to young persons; and if he issued any recent advice on the subject to chief constables.
§ Mr. HurdI understand that, following a recent meeting between my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and the Tobacco Advisory Council, the tobacco industry has re-issued copies of its warning notices for display in shops concerning the illegality of retailers selling cigarettes to children under 16. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has issued no recent advice on the subject to chief officers of police and has at present no plans to do so.