A WHITSTABLE businessman has spoken out against an initiative to raise the legal age for buying tobacco.

Jim Ingram, who owns a tobacconist and sweet shop in Tankerton, is the South East spokesman for Retailers Against Smuggling, a campaign led by the Tobacco Alliance.

Mr Ingram believes any increase to the age limit from 16 to 18 will have no effect on stopping young people smoking.

He said: "It runs the risk of encouraging more youngsters to buy tobacco illegally from smugglers on street corners and at car boot sales.

"In our recent Retailers Against Smuggling survey, one in five of our shopkeepers stated that they knew of smugglers supplying tobacco to underage smokers.

"To raise the age limit will only provide a new market for the smugglers, who are already targeting the UK because of this country's high tabacco taxation policy.

"To intorduce such a regulation would suit smugglers down to the ground and mean more youngsters committing the crime of buying smuggled goods, instead of buying legally from shopkeepers.

"However, whatever that age limit, responsible retailers should demand proof of age such as a CitizenCard before making a sale. Smugglers just don't care."

A Labour MP has launched a private members' bill calling for the limit to be increased. The bill is understood to be backed by the Department of Health.