Tobacco.org

• 60% of stores see adults buy for kids 

Three in five independent retailers are aware that adults are buying cigarettes for children, but feel powerless to prevent them as it is not against the law.

The revelation, part of a comprehensive study by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance (TRA), which represents 26,000 UK independent retailers, demonstrates the pressing need to outlaw the proxy purchasing of tobacco and address the real routes of supply to under-18s.

Darlington independent retailer John Abbott said the government should stop wasting time on "unproven gimmicks" such as banning tobacco displays and focus on issues that would help reduce youth smoking.

Mahendra Jadeja, who runs a newsagents in London, said proxy purchasing was a "massive problem" for retailers.

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