Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the U.K. will raise the penalty for possession of cannabis from next year, rejecting advice from a panel of scientists that said there should be no change.

People caught carrying cannabis for a second time will face an on-the-spot fine of 80 pounds ($140) instead of a police warning. The drug will be reclassified as a Class B drug from Jan. 26, up from Class C. That change lifts the penalty courts can impose for possession to five years in prison from two.

Police, doctors and lawmakers from all political parties have expressed concerns that British users are smoking stronger forms of cannabis called skunk, channeling more money to organized criminals and raising long-term risks to mental health.

``While cannabis has always been illegal, reclassifying it to a Class B drug reinforces our message to everyone that it is harmful and should not be taken,'' Smith said in an e-mail today. ``Fewer people are taking cannabis, but it is crucial that this trend continues.''

The government's advisory panel on May 7 suggested the government should leave penalties as they are. Police usually overlook cannabis use in Britain and deliver warnings to most people caught carrying it.

Reversing Blair Move

Smith's move reverses a decision made by former Prime Minister Tony Blair to lower the penalty in 2004, when the Home Office's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said the drug wasn't as harmful as others in the Class B category, including amphetamines.

``Today's announcement is more about titillating tabloid newspaper editors than tackling drug abuse,'' opposition Liberal Democrat law and order spokesman Chris Huhne said in an e-mail. ``Ministers should heed the advice of their own expert advisory council on drug misuse. Public education works better than flagellation.''

A government report published Aug. 14 showed the use of cocaine and ecstasy rose in England and Wales last year as the number of people smoking of cannabis declined.

About 2.6 percent of the adult population used cocaine at least once, up from 2.4 percent in 2006 and 0.6 percent a decade ago, the Department of Health said. Cannabis use fell to 8.2 percent of adults from 8.7 percent last year and 9.5 percent in 1996.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kitty Donaldson in London at kdonaldson1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 13, 2008 12:50 EDT