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Cigarette buying age to increase Cigarette buying age to increase
(about 7 hours later)
The Scottish government is expected to increase the legal age for buying tobacco from 16 to 18 in October.The Scottish government is expected to increase the legal age for buying tobacco from 16 to 18 in October.
The move was backed by the previous Scottish Executive and will also come into force in England and Wales.The move was backed by the previous Scottish Executive and will also come into force in England and Wales.
Anti-smoking group Ash Scotland supported such a decision, but said a tobacco licensing scheme was needed for the policy to be effectively enforced.Anti-smoking group Ash Scotland supported such a decision, but said a tobacco licensing scheme was needed for the policy to be effectively enforced.
The announcement will be made by Public Health Minister Shona Robison during a visit to a primary school in Dundee.The announcement will be made by Public Health Minister Shona Robison during a visit to a primary school in Dundee.
Recent Scottish Executive figures claimed there had been reductions in the number of school children who smoked in the last two years. Recent Scottish Executive figures claimed there had been reductions in the number of schoolchildren who smoked in the last two years.
Retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age must be properly penalised Maureen MooreChief executive, Ash ScotlandRetailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age must be properly penalised Maureen MooreChief executive, Ash Scotland
Ash Scotland chief executive Maureen Moore said: "Scotland has the highest rate of young smokers in Britain so I hope this will help reduce the numbers of young people in Scotland taking up smoking."Ash Scotland chief executive Maureen Moore said: "Scotland has the highest rate of young smokers in Britain so I hope this will help reduce the numbers of young people in Scotland taking up smoking."
But she added: "If the new purchase age is to do any good then effective enforcement of the law, backed by tobacco licensing, is vital.But she added: "If the new purchase age is to do any good then effective enforcement of the law, backed by tobacco licensing, is vital.
"Retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age must be properly penalised.""Retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under age must be properly penalised."
The executive statistics indicated that 4% of 13-year-olds and 15% of 15-year-olds were regular smokers.The executive statistics indicated that 4% of 13-year-olds and 15% of 15-year-olds were regular smokers.
However, smoking by 13-year-olds had declined since 1998 from 9% to 3% among boys, and from 11% to 5% among girls.However, smoking by 13-year-olds had declined since 1998 from 9% to 3% among boys, and from 11% to 5% among girls.
Among 15-year-olds, smoking had declined from a peak in 1996, from both 30% for boys and girls to 12% for boys and 18% among girls.Among 15-year-olds, smoking had declined from a peak in 1996, from both 30% for boys and girls to 12% for boys and 18% among girls.