ASH survey clears the smoke on underage sales.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Aug 2008

Welsh Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health Jenny Randerson AM has welcomed the release of a survey of young smokers by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales showing the true extent of underage tobacco sales in South Wales.

The survey showed that one in five children in South Wales are able to buy tobacco in supermarkets while 8 out of 10 young smokers have bought tobacco products in local shops.

Jenny Randerson said: "I welcome the publication of this survey as recent successes in tightening the law may have led to complacency on this issue. I have always felt that reducing underage smoking required a two-pronged approach. As well as cracking down on shops selling tobacco to the underage, we have to help those who smoke to kick the habit while they are still young.

"The survey also shows that the illicit tobacco trade is actively targeting children. This shows that a criminal element is abusing the addictions of vulnerable young people. I was shocked when I learnt that children were able to buy single cigarettes from ice-cream vans."

Notes:

The report, is available from ASH Wales

www.ashwales.co.ukwww.ashwales.co.uk.

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