NewsDigest

A new report calls for raising the age for buying cigarettes in Scotland from 16 to 18. It also calls for the licensing of cigarette sales north of the border. The report, which gives advice on how to stop young people smoking, was commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The document Towards a Future Without Tobacco also suggests ending the display of cigarettes in shops and increasing fines for selling them to children.

Aldershot Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) has disbanded due to dwindling interest. The LVA had just 11 members with only three or four attending meetings. Chairman Dave Thomas said it was a sign of the times. "First there was all day opening and people found it hard to attend meetings but also with the long leases they have support in place. It is very sad." All funds have been donated to the Guild of Master Victuallers.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) will showcase the best of British beer at the BBC Good Food Show this week. The organisation is sponsoring the Great British Beer Experience at the Show which runs until 26 November at Birmingham's NEC. Tasting tutorials will be offered by beer experts including Roger Protz. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring real ale to those consumers who may not have tried it before," said Camra's Georgina Rudman.

Manchester licensees have been warned to be on the look-out for a con-woman. The woman, in her late 30s or early 40s, Northern Irish and known by the name Sarah Flynn. The woman claims to be buying bars and nightclubs in the area and then running up large bar bills before leaving without paying. She has also left hotel and restaurant bills unpaid. If spotted hosts are asked to email stuart.pizzey@gmp.police.uk.

The MA would like to point out that in its recent article How S&N outsmarts a falling market (16 November) the annualised price increase of 8.7% referred to Carlsberg and not Carling. The MA apologises for the error.