Scotland increases smoking age
People in Scotland will not be able to buy cigarettes until 18
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Tuesday, 05, Jun 2007 05:33
The age at which people in Scotland can buy cigarettes has been raised from 16 to 18 in a bid to prevent young people from taking up the habit.
Public health minister Shona Robison said that the increase, which will come into effect from October 1st, will send a "clear message" to teenagers that "smoking is highly dangerous".
Similar purchase age increases will come into effect on the same date in England and Wales.
"Making this country a healthier place is one of the top priorities for the Scottish government, and raising the age of purchase for cigarettes will help us achieve this," she said.
"We need to start with our young people and discourage them from starting to smoke in the first place."
Dr Andrew Buist, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish GP committee, said that he is "delighted" with the rise in the purchase age.
"Research shows that most smokers begin in adolescence and that the younger someone starts smoking, the less likely they are to give up," he added.
"Raising the minimum purchase age of tobacco from 16 to 18 will decrease the number of young people smoking in Scotland by reducing the availability of cigarettes. When coupled with improved enforcement of the higher age limit, young teenagers will find it more difficult to purchase tobacco from shops."