SALE OF CIGARETTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25394, 27 November 1943, Page 7

SALE OF CIGARETTES

BOYS UNDER 15 SUPPLIED AN UNDESIRABLE LAXITY For the first time in many years a charge of supplying cigarettes to youths under 15 years of age was heard in the Police Court yesterday. The magistrate, Mr Hr W. Bundle, S.M., remarked that the extent to which boys obviously under 15 years of age were seen smoking was surprising, and he issued a reminder that both parties concerned were liable to prosecution, and not only the supplier of the tobacco. Edwin George Kofoed, grocer, of Caversham, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying cigarettes to boys under the age limit. He had often refused cigarettes to boys, he said, but they persisted in saying that they were for their fathers, and he had accordingly supplied them. Senior Sergeant Black said he had received complaints from the headmaster of the Macandrew Intermediate School about the numbers of boys smoking. Two boys who were interviewed admitted buying cigarettes from the accused. Stating that there appeared to be much laxity on the part of grocers and tobacconists in this connection, the magistrate suggested that the proceedings might act as a warning. The defendant was convicted and fined £l, with costs, on the first charge, and was convicted on the second charge.