Changes to the law for young people purchasing tobacco…..
September 20th, 2007
From 1 October 2007, it will be illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under 18. This is a change from the current age of 16. As you can imagine, this will have serious implications for some of the young people we work with in our school communities.
In order to raise awareness of this important change in the law, efforts are being made to ensure all professionals and retailers know about where to access information.
Figures show that most addicted adult smokers began smoking as teenagers. The law has been changed to help prevent people from starting in the first place, so that they can avoid the serious health dangers of smoking – it’s addictive, causing serious harm and can have a dramatic effect on appearance and attractiveness.
The website www.tobaccoagechangescotland.co.uk has just been launched today and contains helpful information and guidance for young people, professionals and retailers. In Highland there is a great deal of support anyone to stop smoking in the form of a Highland Smoking Cessation Service, details can be found on the NHS website
http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/YourHealth/Pages/Smoking.aspx
Louise Thomas 01463 704959
