England considers raising smoking age to 18

The minimum age for buying tobacco in England 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 Members of Parliamwent 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.”

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