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From the 1 October 2007, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to under 18s.
Changing the legal age of the sale of tobacco follows the introduction of the Smokefree legislation on July 1 2007 and is aimed at reducing smoking prevalence rates among young people which currently stand at around 9 per cent of 11 to 15 year olds and 26 per cent of 16 to 19 year olds.
Help is at hand for teenagers wanting to quit, with the NHS providing a range of options through the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 and www.gosmokefree.co.uk.
Between April and December 2006, 11,258 under 18s set a quit date with their free local NHS Stop Smoking Service, with 37 per cent successful at four weeks.
Retailers that stock tobacco will have a legal obligation not to sell to under 18s and will risk prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500 if they do so.
Details can be found at the Tobacco age change website. Please see www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk.
More information can also be found within the following factsheets for teenagers and retailers.
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