Smoking age could rise to 18 in the UK

[sligoman]

The minimum age for buying tobacco could be raised to 18 from 16 under proposals being considered by the government, a Department of Health spokeswoman said on Sunday.

The change is not yet government policy and it would have to go to public consultation if it is included in a health bill currently being debated by parliament.

"What we need is to have a common age of sale for

age-restricted products," said Labour MP Jeff Ennis, who has been campaigning for the measure to become law.
"You've got alcohol at 18, air guns are going up to 18, dangerous knives are being brought up to 18, so it makes common sense to bring it in for tobacco as well," he told BBC TV.

He said Public Health Minister Caroline Flint was keen to raise the tobacco age limit to 18, but added it was unclear if it would be possible to include the proposal in the present health bill.

Flint last week told parliament she was considering Ennis' proposal to raise the legal sale age.

Many MPs are upset the bill fails to include a total ban on smoking in licensed premises, and instead allows smoking to continue in pubs and bars that do not sell food.

Anti-smoking campaigners say a total ban on smoking in pubs and bars would be far more effective at stopping teenagers smoking than raising the legal age of tobacco purchase.

"There is absolutely no evidence that it would make it more difficult for young people to get hold of cigarettes," said Deborah Arnott, director of Action on Smoking and Health.

"The measure that will have the most impact is to introduce a comprehensive ban on smoking in all enclosed public places, including all pubs, bars and clubs," she told BBC TV.

"That's where young people really start smoking and start getting addicted to it."

From here.
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It makes sense really. I alway's wondered why it was still set at 16 anyway.

[Green Tribe]

what a load of cack! Of course the best thing to do is to ban smoking completely in all bars and restaurants, cos as they say, it is true, that is where people(young) tend to start and tend to smoke more, when they are socialising and drinking ....Raising the age limit is pointless....... Don't be such wimps England and ban it outwright from ALL pubs etc

[thejollyrodger]

Its a sham. They are trying to use it to push through the botched job they did on the smoking ban.

[Green Tribe]

The best thing the Irish goverment everydid was bring in the smoking ban, there's nothing worse talking to somebody and they start blowing puffs in your face, bad buzz, I hope England catch onto it.

true, and jolly rodger, i think i actually agree with u
Yes, Ireland is better for the ban...disgusted me recently when i heard some arse on BBC breakfast when asked why England is not having a total ban when Ireland has already and NI and Scotland will have soon "Oh but England is a civilised and tolerant society/country".... Arse!

[Macy]

Raising the age limit is pointless....

Don't know how you can say that, afterall it works for alcohol....

[Schumi]

Saw a bit on the telly saying that this would lower the numbers of underage smokers. Hmm, the opposite maybe

[Green Tribe]

Don't know how you can say that, afterall it works for alcohol....

I mean in the sense that England not having a total pub/restaurant ban and now wanting to raise the smoking age They should realise that if they want to reduce the dangers of passive smoking and reduce the amount of smokers, a total ban(opposed to partial) will be more effective than raising the age to 18

[Macy]

I mean in the sense that England not having a total pub/restaurant ban and now wanting to raise the smoking age They should realise that if they want to reduce the dangers of passive smoking and reduce the amount of smokers, a total ban(opposed to partial) will be more effective than raising the age to 18

If they want to stop passive smoking then a ban in workplaces is the way to go, but this is about making it harder for kids to start smoking. Different debate. I would suggest that the smoking ban hasn't made people stop smoking, merely stopped them going out as much.

In theory it's a good idea, in practice it'll make fook all difference. That's what my sarcastic point was about drinking. An 18 age limit doesn't stop underage drinking, just as an 18 limit on smoking won't either.

[Dotsy]

I think the smoking ban has helped people to give up (me for one). I can think of four of my mates that would have been smokers for over 20 years that have given up in the last year. The smoking ban might not have been the only reason they gave up but they all say it helped. I certainly found it easier to give up after numerous attempts over the last 25 years. However, I don't think it has stopped kids starting to smoke. They are hardly likely to be in a pub.

Raising the age to 18 won't do any harm and should stop young teenagers from getting served. Shopkeepers wont be able to say "I thought they were over 18" in those cases as a defense.

[The Stars]

I couldnt give a flying fcuk about the age limit over there but as I was over there for the weekend the smoking in the pubs is really annoying.
So used to smoke free pubs it seemed like you were stepping back in time in the pubs over there.