A CALL went out yesterday for a nationwide crackdown on cold stores and coffee shops who sell cigarettes to minors. It should be spearheaded by the Health Ministry and municipal councils in co-operation with the Interior Ministry, say councillors.

The call comes after a Health Ministry and Interior Ministry joint raid on an East Riffa cold store where an Asian salesman was caught red-handed selling cigarettes to children.

Municipal council vice chairman Abbas Hassan Mahfoodh said that they had reports about the store's practices.

"We co-ordinated with the Interior Ministry and inspectors of the Health Ministry and kept watch on the premises," he said.

Mr Mahfoodh said some neighbourhood children were also drafted in to act as decoy customers and they were asked to go and purchase cigarettes.

"The police and ministry inspectors raided the store as soon as the children were handed over the cigarettes and salesman was caught red-handed," he said.

Mr Mahfoodh said that the salesmen, as well as the cold store owner, would be taken to the Public Prosecution to face charges since it is illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 18 years.

He said the complaint was first received by the Central Municipal Council legal, administrative and financial committee from a resident against the cold store.

Committee chairman Adnan Al Malki said the salesman was selling cigarettes to children for 50 fils each at the Bu Kawarah cold store.

"I first went to the place unidentified to see for myself and witnessed with my own eyes the worker selling a cigarette to a 14-year-old boy," he said.

"The store was full of 12 to 14-year-olds smoking like there is no law."

Mr Al Malki said the council has now agreed on the launch of an inspection campaign on all cold stores in heavily populated areas.

He said the Labour Ministry would also get involved if the cold store salesman was found to be on free visa and had not been registered.

The councillor said, however, current procedures were not enough and the punishment should be tougher.

"I think the place should be shut down and its commercial registration revoked," said Mr Al Malki.

He said the smoking habit among children was a major problem in his area and was threatening their health.

Mr Al Malki said his office was always open for any resident who wanted to complain about such practices or was concerned about the safety of the children.

Health Ministry primary care and public health assistant under-secretary Dr Mariam Al Jalahma said such actions by the residents and the councils were greatly appreciated.

"The ministry alone is not able to police everyone and we need the help of the people," she said.

Dr Al Jalahma said the resident who reported the matter to the council should be applauded and other residents should come forward as well.

"This incident should be an eye opener to the residents of the area as also the cold store owners," she said.

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