To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) charges and (b) prosecutions there have been under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 of retailers suspected of selling tobacco to those aged under 18 years. (278284)

New retailer sanctions under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 for the persistent sale of tobacco products to young people under the age of 18 years came into force on 1 April 2009.

Court proceedings data for 2009 will be available in the autumn of 2010.