Focus on Airedale shops in stop smoking efforts (From Keighley News)

Focus on Airedale shops in stop smoking efforts

1:00pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Alistair Shand

Regional Trading Standards chiefs are supporting the month-long Stoptober campaign – by cracking down on cigarette sales to children.

‘Stoptober’ is a national campaign, running throughout this month, encouraging smokers to stub out the habit.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards said latest figures showed that in Yorkshire and the Humber 30 per cent of 11-to-15-year-olds had tried smoking at least once and five per cent were regular smokers.

The service, which carries out test purchases and inspections at shops accused of selling cigarettes illegally, is asking more members of the public to come forward with their concerns.

Chief officer Graham Hebblethwaite said: “The Stoptober campaign is a great idea to encourage people to quit smoking and get the benefits that come from quitting, such as better lung function and reducing your risk of lung cancer.”

Councillor Val Slater, chairman of the Trading Standards Committee, said: “Stoptober is a brilliant campaign. Residents should become involved in order to help reduce the smoking prevalence.”

Anyone who suspects a shop is breaking the law by selling cigarettes to under-18s should phone Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.