Focus of cigarette laws is wrong

Recently I had the misfortune of sitting through the trial of a small business owner, charged because one of their employees sold a pack of cigarettes to a tobacco cop snitch. Using underage kids to try and entrap an unsuspecting clerk is a despicable act -I thought entrapment was illegal?

This was a three-day trial for one pack of cigarettes. What a flagrant waste of taxpayers dollars. We were appaled at the vindictiveness of the crown, who urged the judge to impose a $10,000 fine on a mom and pop operation.

The irony of this is what kid would be stupid enough to buy cigarettes for $10 a pack when they can get them for a fraction of this price on the street?

After further research I discovered that if an employee at the beer store sells to a minor they receive a letter of discipline, after the third offence they are fired. The liquor store, a government-owned business, is the same -a disciplinary letter and then the employee is fired. No one fines them, takes their licence away or threatens to shut them down when an employee has an off day or is overworked and mistakenly sells to a minor.

Why is the law different for stores that sell alcohol to minors? I've never heard of anyone under the influence of tobacco killing someone while behind the wheel of a car.

Incidentally, the store owner, who did not sell the cigarettes, was fined $4,000 plus court costs and lawyers fees.

Another example of justice served?