SHOPKEEPERS in Blackburn and Darwen are to be warned about new laws to prevent deaths among children who sniff gas lighter fluids.
From October 1 it will be an offence for a shopkeeper to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18.
The measures were brought in because more than half of the substance abuse deaths in Britain during 1997 were associated with butane gas lighter refills.
In Lancashire, there were 58 deaths associated with substance abuse between 1975 and 1997.
Trading Standards chiefs in Blackburn and Darwen are to mount a campaign to raise awareness of the new laws among shopkeepers.
Blackburn with Darwen Council's public protection committee will discuss the issue on Thursday.
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