AN ATHERTON newsagent is counting the cost of selling cigarettes to a 14 year-old.

In a case brought by Wigan trading standards officers Iqbal Limbada, owner of I and S News in Bolton Road, was fined £200 for the illegal sale plus £100 for not displaying a statutory notice saying sales of tobacco to under 16 year-olds are illegal.

The assistant who sold the cigarettes, Salim Limbada, was fined £100 and both men have to pay £150 costs.

The Court was told a 14 year-old girl helped the trading standards team in a borough wide survey. A trading standards officer was present in the shop and witnessed the sale of a packet of cigarettes to the girl when no attempt was made to verify her age.

Alan Blundell, the borough's Chief Trading Standards Officer, said: "Selling cigarettes to children under 16 is a serious matter and the government wants councils to tackle the problem as a high priority.

"I hope this case will send out a message to all tobacco retailers that we will take action wherever we find the law is being broken."

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