The legal age for buying tobacco and cigarettes is to be raised from 16 to 18, the British Government has announced.
Government statistics show that 9 per cent of children aged between 11 and 15 smoke – down from 13 per cent in 1996. But ministers want to drive the figure down further and believe that raising the limit will make it easier for retailers to spot under-age smokers.
UK Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said the new law would come into effect from October 1. Campaigners welcomed the move, but raised concerns over how the law would be enforced.