Tobacco Age of Sale Rises to 18

01 October 2007

From Monday 1st October the tobacco age of sale will increase from 16 to 18 in the latest government step to cut smoking rates in the UK, and prevent young people buying tobacco.

This major step follows on from public places going smokefree in July and the recent announcement by the Secretary of State cigarette packets will carry include picture health warnings from next year.

An outdoor advertising campaign to explain the change in the law was launched on Monday 24th September as part of an awareness campaign over the past four months to ensure that both retailers and teenagers are fully aware.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said:

"We are determined to reduce the number of young people who smoke.
Raising the legal age of sale to 18 will make it easier for retailers to spot under-age smokers and lead to less young people becoming addicted to nicotine and continuing to smoke into adulthood.

"Research shows that the younger people start the more likely they are to become life-long smokers and die early. This change in law highlights our commitment to protect our children and will potentially save thousands of lives and others will be spared the misery of watching family and friends die prematurely from smoke related illnesses."

The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

"I welcome the raising of the legal age for buying tobacco to 18 years. This will result in fewer young people becoming addicted to nicotine, something which ultimately results in early death from cancer and other smoking related illnesses.

"The initiative is another important step in helping to prevent people from taking up smoking in the first place, and in the longer term will help to reduce the burden that smoking causes in our country".

Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said:

"We welcome the change in age of sale as a measure to reduce the availability of cigarettes to young people. It sends out a strong message that tobacco products are dangerous but strict enforcement of the law is crucial for it to have the desired effect.

"Smoking is a serious problem among young people - 16 per cent of boys and 24 per cent of girls aged 15 are regular smokers - so youth smoking must remain a Government priority if we are to prevent these teenagers from becoming adult smokers and greatly increasing their risk of developing cancer in later life".

New research conducted by YouGov has revealed that 69% of adults believe it makes sense to raise the minimum age for the sale of tobacco to 18 in line with alcohol.

The latest smokefree compliance statistics show that 97.7% of premises inspected were compliant in terms of no-smoking. This data is consistent with earlier compliance data and indicates there has been a smooth transition to smokefree public places and workplaces in England.

For further information, media enquires only, please contact the Department of Health media centre on 020 7210 5221