Traders facing abuse over new cigs ban

New laws which were backed by Mexborough MP Jeff Ennis came into effect yesterday, making it illegal to sell cigarettes to 16 and 17-year-olds for the first time.

Previously it was legal to sell tobacco products to anyone over 16.

Ratna Jina, whose East Laith Gate store is popular with pupils from Hall Cross School, said although they regularly asked for ID anyway, Monday morning had been very difficult.

“There are youngsters who we have been serving for a year or more who we now can’t serve at all and obviously that has caused some tension,” she said.

“I have had to put up with some abuse already and I can see that over the next few months we’re going to have to put up with a lot more.

“It does seem absurd that it was OK to sell someone a packet of cigarettes yesterday afternoon but this morning it’s against the law - you can see why they might get frustrated.”

But Richard Huby, Don-caster president of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, who has a shop in the Market Place, welcomed the legislation.

He said although he had to turn away customers this morning, he thought the change to the laws was a good idea.

He said: “There are certainly going to be problems in the interim period, whilst people get used to the idea, especially with people we’ve been serving for a long time. We have a policy in our shops that if there’s any doubt at all we ask for photo ID, otherwise they just don’t get served.

“Those at school should be used to that - they have to show ID on buses after all.

“It may be harder with 17-year-olds who are at work but I’m sure people will get used to it with time.”