P.E.I. to increase fines for selling smokes to minors

The province has introduced legislation that would increase the minimum fine for retailers caught selling tobacco products or e-cigarettes to minors.

• Tobacco sellers staying alert to underage buyers

The minimum fine would be $250 for a first offence, $500 for second and subsequent offences. Fines currently start at $200.

"It's more of a disincentive to make sure that everybody is getting the process properly done and not putting cigarettes or tobacco products in the hands of people who shouldn't be using them," said Health Minister RobHenderson.

Henderson said there were only about 10 charges under the legislation last year. Provincial inspectors found a 98 per cent compliance rate last year. But Henderson wants to do more to help keep tobacco out of the hands of minors.

The province will soon unveil a new smoking cessation plan, said Henderson, to help smokers kick the habit.

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