22 Jul 2007


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Tobacco age increase campaign launched for public and retailers

Department of Health

independent

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The Department of Health has finally launched a campaign to inform the public that the sale of tobacco products to under 18s will be illegal from October 1.

The trade has been calling for an awareness campaign for some time and now the DoH has today launched a communications campaign to provide information for retailers and the public to encourage compliance.

From October 1, retailers will no longer be able to sell tobacco products to under 18s and will risk prosecution and a fine of £2,500 if they do so.

A four stage campaign will now explain the legislation which includes basic information being sent to retailers perceived to have the highest volume of 16-17 year old customers and a media campaign involving national, regional and the retail trade.

In September, retailers will be sent a toolkit which includes a statutory notice that they have to display from October 1 and an outdoor poster campaign will be launched in locations that teenagers buy cigarettes.

Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Public Health, said: “Currently, half of all teenagers who smoke will die from diseases caused by tobacco if they continue to smoke throughout the course of their like.

“Raising the minimum age at which teenagers can be sold tobacco products will reduce the availability of cigarettes and could therefore discourage young people from taking up smoking in the first place.”

For more information visit www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk or call 020 74920980.

by Glenn Pearson

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