SHOPKEEPERS could face a heavy fine and a criminal record if they sell cigarettes to youngsters in future.

From October it will be illegal to sell tobacco to people younger than 18 - the present limit is under 16 - so Swindon Council's trading standards officers have been pounding the streets to spread the word.

Community safety officer Lara McShee was at Khan's Convenience Stores in Rodbourne Road yesterday to explain to owner Azim Khan what the new law means.

She said: "I have visited 30 shops and stores already to alert them to the change in legislation, but there are 145 places to do by the end of next month.

"We have been handing out information packs so that traders can explain easily to customers why they have to ask for identification."

As part of the publicity drive Lara will be handing out Citizen Card application forms so that young people can get official photo ID.

She said: "There will be a refusal register in several shops, so that people who are not old enough cannot get served.

"But for those who are 18, we want them to be able to prove it quickly and easily."

Trading standards officer Russell Sharland recently co-ordinated a test purchase operation to see how vendors were judging people's ages.

The results show that the current law is being obeyed, which bodes well for the upcoming change.

He said: "We used a 13-year-old female volunteer to go into shops and ask for a packet of cigarettes.

"She went to 14 shops of all sizes across Swindon, and all of them asked her for ID.

"But better than that, all of them refused to serve her which we think is the first time that has happened.

"It is encouraging to think that staff are being vigilant already and so the change in the law should be smooth."

The situation will be anything but smooth for shopkeepers found selling tobacco to children.

They face a maximum fine of £2,500 and the resulting criminal conviction could lead to them losing lucrative alcohol licences.

Azim Khan said: "I think in general the people will respond well to the change. The vast majority of customers are reasonable and it should have some benefit for young people's health if they don't buy cigarettes for an extra two years."

For more information, contact the council's trading standards department on 01793 466155 or visit www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk.