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Tobacconists ask for youth legislation

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Tobacconists in the Netherlands said they are asking parliament to make it a criminal offense for those under 16 to be caught with tobacco products.

DutchNews.nl said when shop owners are caught selling cigarettes to youth, they must pay a fine of $588, but the youths are not punished.

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"The youngsters get away with it. But why should the responsibility not be shared?," said Edsko Schuitema of the gas station owner lobby group Beta.

Members of parliament are considering increasing the age at which teenagers can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18, DutchNews.nl said, and are voting on a similar measure this week for the purchase of alcohol.

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