ACTION should be taken against young smokers who harass adults outside shops asking them to buy them cigarettes.

That is the view of Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle, who tabled a Commons question concerning the harrassment of shoppers outside stores.

He received assurances from Health Minister Anne Milton that a review had been commissioned into sources of tobacco for children.

Further discussions are already taking place surrounding anti-social behaviour legislation.

Mr Birtwistle said: “People should not have to face harassment from youngsters whenever they visit their local shop.

“I’m glad to see the government are taking measures to address this, not only by allowing authorities to step in and deal with such situations without the ridiculous amount of red tape that currently exists, but also by investigating the root causes that see young people addicted to cigarettes in the first place.”