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By Cheryl Lim
ALTHOUGH selling cigarettes to those under 18 years of age is illegal, seven retailers in Bishan Central were prepared to sell packs without checking the age of their customers.
This was what my paper found when it visited stores yesterday asking to purchase cigarettes.
Out of 10 retailers, only three were vigilant enough to ask for identification before handing over the packs.
The stores tested included convenience stores, provision shops, coffee shops and supermarkets. At one chain store, counter staff were prepared to sell a pack of cigarettes to a 14-year-old male student without verifying his age.
When quizzed, the staff member claimed that he was "about to check" the boy's identification. This was after the staff member had scanned the pack and was about to accept cash for the item.
When contacted about the incident, a marketing executive at the store's headquarters was shocked.
"To be safe, our staff are told to check a customer's age if he looks younger than 25," she said.
Penalties for retailers include a possible six-month suspension of the tobacco- selling licence issued by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) through its Tobacco Regulation Unit, which is responsible for the Smoking Act (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco).
This year, as of October, 51 retailers have been caught selling cigarettes to underaged kids, according to the HSA.
The latest culprit was a tobacco retailer in Woodlands, caught on Oct 2. The retailer's licence for tobacco sales was suspended for six months and an employee was fined $2,000.
HSA can fine employees of retailers up to $10,000 for selling tobacco products to those under 18.
First-time offenders also receive 10 demerit points, while second-time offenders receive 20 points. Further offences result in court prosecution.
An employee at S-11 coffee shop who was adamant about seeing identification said she was instructed by her management to check the ages of all buyers.
Another retailer, who asked for the identity card of a 17-year-old buyer when she asked for cigarettes, said they check customers stringently "even if the youth looks mature".
A student, 17 (centre), posing as a cigarette buyer at
this kiosk in a bus interchange was caught out
when she was asked for her IC. |
SMOKED OUT
Underaged youths caught for smoking offences:
2006: 6,139
2007: 6,584
Jan to Oct 2008: 5,993
Retailers caught selling tobacco products
to underaged youths:
2006: 68
2007: 57
Jan to Oct 2008: 51
Figures from the Health Sciences Authority
For more my paper stories click here.
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