Cases of underage youths buying cigarettes remain high, 03/04/10

SINGAPORE: Cases involving sale of cigarettes to those under 18 have remained high in the last five years. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has clamped down on offenders.

HSA suspended a shop’s license to sell cigarettes for six months as it was a repeat offender.

The shop owner said he did not ask for the youth’s identification card as he was busy and only gauged the youth’s age from his face and body size.

Between 2005 and 2009, an average of 63 youths aged below 18 were caught for buying cigarettes.

The HSA has reminded cigarette retailers to check the identification card, driver’s licence or passport to ensure that the customers are legally allowed to buy cigarettes. – CNA/vm

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