Police left with no powers to confiscate cigarettes from kids
EDUCATING young smokers, rather than criminalising them, should be the way forward politicians have said after the States threw out plans to fine children up to £500 for possessing cigarettes.
However, the vote has also left police without powers to confiscate cigarettes from young teenagers.
Health and Social Services minister Mark Dorey said he was surprised by the strength of feeling in the debate on Friday.
The eventual vote saw just 10 deputies backing the plan, while 29 were against.
Deputy Kevin Stewart said the Assembly had done the right thing.
He said the proposals went too far.
'HSSD said it was trying to look after health, but what could they bring in next? The misuse of sweets ordinance?' he said.
'The right thing would be to allow the police to confiscate, but not make it a criminal offence.'
He said educating young people about the danger of cigarettes was a better way forward.
Deputy Peter Sherbourne agreed.
'It was a sledgehammer to crack a nut,' he said. 'It would be criminalising children for having cigarettes and also have draconian fines.'
But Deputy Dorey rejected claims that every child caught with cigarettes would end up with a criminal record and noted that any cases would have been handled at the police's discretion, in the same way that underage alcohol possession is dealt with. currently.
