INCREASING TAX on cigarettes to helpdrivedownsmokingrates could have the effect of widening health inequalities between teenage smokers.

A new Scottish study has revealed that contrary to expectations, young people from poorer backgrounds have the most cash in their pockets to spend on tobacco.

In addition, they are also more likely to be able to buy cigarettes on the black market or obtain them cheaply or free from friends and family.

However, teenagers from more affluent backgrounds were found to have less money to spend and were usually able to access tobacco only through shops at normal prices.

While the researchers acknowledge there is evidence that fiscal policies are proving effective in reducing smoking among adults in low-income groups, they warn that price rises may also have the effect of widening class differentials among young people.

Lead researcher Professor Patrick West, of the Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at Glasgow University, said: "Tax increases may impact on youth smoking generally, but paradoxically they are likely to impact more on those from richer backgrounds.

"This is exactly the reverse of what is found among adults, and, in the long term, might increase rather than reduce health inequalities."

The study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, examined the smoking habits of more than 2000 young people between 11 and 15 in the west of Scotland.

At 15, teenagers from poorer backgrounds were found to have more income, usually from part-time jobs, at around £15 per week, compared with those from the highest social classes, who had just under £12 to spend.

Regular smokers of the same age from the highest social classes spent an average £5.54 per week on cigarettes, compared with an average £6.98 spent by those from lower social classes.

Figures published by the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association show that the price of cigarettes in the UK is the highest in the EU. A pack of 20 costs more than £5, compared with £3.37 in France, £1.62 in Spain and just 42p in Latvia.

Maureen Moore, chief executive of anti-smokingcharityAsh Scotland, said tobacco tax had been shown to be effective in reducing smoking rates, but cautioned that it was only one part of a bigger picture.

"Cheap, smuggled and fake cigarettes aremoreavailableinlow-income communities in Scotland, which underminesfiscalmeasures,"shesaid. "Smoking rates are also higher in these communities, so young people can find it easier to get cigarettes from friends and family."

She added: "Ash Scotland wants stopsmoking services and support to be as easily accessible as cigarettes. We need to let young smokers know how addictive smoking is and offer them effective and accessible support to quit."

Neil Rafferty, of pro-smoking rights group Forest, said efforts to drive down smoking rates through legislation often had the effect of widening inequalities.

"That is one of the problems with government interventions; quite often these policies do actually widen the health divide," he said. "Research finds it also tends to ghettoise smokers.

"Ultimately the best long-term impact is going to be better education for young people, on the choices available and the health risks with those choices."

Last week legislation came into force in Scotland making it illegal for under-18s to buy tobacco. One local authority said 90% of businesses visited in the first week of the change had been found to be complying with the law by displaying the correct warning signs.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, environment leader at Edinburgh City Council, said: "The emphasis at this stage is on educating retailers on their responsibilities and to encourage compliance."