TRADING Standards officers in Swindon are destroying cigarettes illegally sold to children to mark national No Smoking Day.
They are keen to promote their "No ID, no sale" policy to all sellers of cigarettes and tobacco products in Swindon.
A recent survey by Trading Standards found that 23 per sent of outlets in Swindon sold cigarettes to the department's 13 and 14-year-old volunteers.
This is well above the national average of 12 per cent.
Coun David Cox, lead member for Healthy Living and Cultural Services, said: "We are disappointed that local retailers are not complying with this aspect of the law."
The survey also checked that the appropriate warning signs were displayed next to the cigarettes, 23 per cent of shops in Swindon did not display them. The national average is 13 per cent.
Robert Taylour, public protection group manager, said: "We will be repeating the exercise and will consider prosecuting anyone who is caught selling cigarettes to under age children."
The NHS Smoking Helpline provides free expert advice to smokers and their families, phone 0800 1690 169.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article