illegal for under-18s to buy tobacco in U.K. from today

A new law making it illegal for under-18s to buy tobacco comes into force.

(Advertisement)
The legal age for buying tobacco rises from 16 to 18, bringing it into line with alcohol.

Health campaigners welcomed the move, saying it would be easier for retailers and customers to follow the law.

But critics accused the Government of a "woefully inadequate" advertising campaign, saying only one in five 16 to 18-year-olds knew about the change.

The Department of Health hopes the move will cut the number of teenage smokers and has promised a hard crackdown on retailers who flout the law.

Shop owners will have to display signs in their windows and could face fines or prosecution if they sell tobacco to those under-age.

A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium said it supported a move to bring tobacco in line with alcohol, fireworks and glue.

"Retailers are well aware of the change and have been doing their bit to inform customers," he said. "But, from today, we will see how successful the Government's promised campaign has been in preventing stores becoming conflict flashpoints as shop staff say "no" to 16 and 17-year-olds who have been able to buy cigarettes previously."

The Association of Convenience Stores, which represents around 33,000 local shops, criticised the Government's "largely internet-based" advertising campaign for shoppers.

It was certainly news to me

The age being 16 didnt stop me when I was 14 or any one else i knew, its quite easy to find a corner shop that doesnt give a shit. Its easier to just buy imported **** from people who sell them. They think this will change some thing but god knows what that is. Granted I wish I didn't start now but really theres no way to stop some one thats under age who wants to smoke for what ever reason.

Originally posted by Magee
The age being 16 didnt stop me when I was 14 or any one else i knew, its quite easy to find a corner shop that doesnt give a shit. Its easier to just buy imported **** from people who sell them. They think this will change some thing but god knows what that is. Granted I wish I didn't start now but really theres no way to stop some one thats under age who wants to smoke for what ever reason.

Did you know this was happening though?

Well I guess the U.S. really does have a lot of influence in Britian.

I work in a shop part time and to be honest, this is going to be a nightmare. The number of local kids that I know are 16 and 17 and smoke is massive, when they are refused sale it's going to kick off.

It's also adding massive confusion to matters, staff are going to have to get used to not doing something they've been doing for years and years, and customers are going to have to live with the fact that yesterday they could buy them; today they can't.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
I work in a shop part time and to be honest, this is going to be a nightmare. The number of local kids that I know are 16 and 17 and smoke is massive, when they are refused sale it's going to kick off.

It's also adding massive confusion to matters, staff are going to have to get used to not doing something they've been doing for years and years, and customers are going to have to live with the fact that yesterday they could buy them; today they can't.

Yes it's going to make things very difficult as i bet these local "smoker kids" are the most difficult type of kid.

Unfortunately, yes.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
Unfortunately, yes.

I can see shoplifting, assaults on shop staff, intimidation etc. All going up.

Yeah pretty much, I'm not particularly worried about shoplifters. But the assault thing, it's not really worth my measly part time wage to get attacked.

I'll have to find another way to afford going out on the weekend and funding my studies, if it happens.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
Yeah pretty much, I'm not particularly worried about shoplifters. But the assault thing, it's not really worth my measly part time wage to get attacked.

I'll have to find another way to afford going out on the weekend and funding my studies, if it happens.

Fair comment, are you old enough to do bar work?

Yeah, I'm 18 and have thought about it for a while. It doesn't really matter what I do as long as I get a little bit of money to tide me over.

I'm on my year out at the moment and jobs mean very little to me. Having fun and enjoying the company I've got here, while I can means a lot more.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
Yeah, I'm 18 and have thought about it for a while. It doesn't really matter what I do as long as I get a little bit of money to tide me over.

I'm on my year out at the moment and jobs mean very little to me. Having fun and enjoying the company I've got here, while I can means a lot more.

Fair enough, but a bar job in a vibrant young pub/club might actually aid you in that.

Yeah, that's a good point.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
Yeah, that's a good point.

Anyway you got no problem getting cigs gramps. Your well over the age limit. 😛

18's well over nowadays is it?

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
18's well over nowadays is it?

No 72. 😐

Well, hopefully I don't look 72. That would be a bit of a piss take.

wow....you mean they've been selling tobacco to kids all this time?

Well, to sixteen year olds, yeah.

children