The chimes of an ice-cream van are one of the innocent sounds of summer. Unfortunately, that innocence has now been tainted by unscrupulous vendors who are touting something rather more sinister than ices and lollies to the children who patronise them: cigarettes.

Shops have been subjected to a high-profile undercover campaign involving several prosecutions for selling cigarettes to under-age youngsters. However, there has been no such drive against the ice-cream vendors.

That is understandable. Who would have imagined that some of them would have decided to boost their takings by selling single cigarettes, even outside school gates? If they are allowed to get away with that, what might some of them be tempted to peddle next?

There is apparently very little regulation of ice-cream vendors. It is time some was introduced. The Council must take seriously the calls for it to set up a register of all vans operating in the district, not only for the sake of the children who might be tempted to smoke by the availability of affordable single cigarettes but also for the sake of the reputable ice-cream companies whose image is being besmirched by these "cowboys".

Meanwhile, the Trading Standards Service is appealing for members of the public to help them to stamp out this illegal activity. It is up to parents and teachers to be vigilant and report any vendor they suspect of selling cigarettes and encouraging children in a habit which will undermine their health and could set them on a path to premature death.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.