Children are to be used in undercover operations to catch shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to under-age youngsters.

Shopkeepers found selling to 'spy children' could face criminal prosecution under the pilot scheme designed to tackle teenage smoking.

The scheme, announced by the Scottish Executive, will operate in four pilot areas from the autumn.

Deputy health minister Mary Mulligan said the move followed consultation with legal authorities.

Mary Mulligan: "Extra weapon"

The trial areas will be Edinburgh, Moray, Stirling and South Ayrshire.

Ms Mulligan said the use of children would be an extra weapon in the fight against smoking among children under 16.

She said: "Nicotine is very addictive and evidence shows that the vast majority of youngsters who take up smoking in their teens will continue to smoke throughout their adult life.

"Anyone who sells cigarettes to young people is part of that problem. The law is clear - under-age sales are illegal.

Enforcement measures

"That is why better enforcement, better education, health promotion, and new initiatives such as proof of age cards all have a part to play in the solution."

She said she was pleased that the four authorities are to test this method of catching out the rogue traders in the retail sector who prey on young people for profit.

She said: "The involvement of young people is not an alternative to existing enforcement measures, but it is a valuable extra weapon in the armoury.

"I believe that the measures will be widely welcomed by all those with an interest in protecting our young people.

The law is clear - under-age sales are illegal

Margaret Mulligan

"I also believe that the vast majority of retailers will back this new approach.

"Honest law-abiding shopkeepers are already working to good practice codes and will have nothing to fear."

As well as the Crown Office, the executive has consulted with local authorities, trading standards chiefs, anti-smoking campaigners and the Scottish Retail Consortium.

The pilots will be publicised late summer with test purchasing starting in the autumn.