Under-18 smoking ban has worked

Teenage smoking has fallen dramatically since the legal smoking age was increased.

Prior to 2007, teenagers could smoke at 16. That year, a new law came into force that raised the legal age to 18. Now researchers from the University College London have studied data from before and after the ban. A 7% reduction among 16 to 18 year olds was discovered.

Dr Jenny Fidler, from Cancer Research UK, said: “This is good news for the future health of this generation of young people and shows that tobacco policies can make a real difference.”

Another spokesperson for the charity, Dr Jean King, said: “We need to do more to protect young people. We urge the government to prevent more lives being lost to an addiction that will kill half of all long term smokers. Rolling out the regulations to remove tobacco displays in shops and getting rid of cigarette vending machines is needed and wanted by the public.”

Last year Labour introduced the Health Act 2009. This act included plans to ban tobacco advertising in shop windows, and to abolish cigarette vending machines. It also included proposals to ban smoking in front of public buildings, and in certain outdoor public spaces, such as parks.

However, the new government has suggested that the act could be scrapped. Health campaigners have called on the Health Minister, Anne Milton, to reconsider. The government has suggested that the law may be repealed to protect companies’ interests. Health campaigners argue there should be more emphasis on children’s health than economic recovery.

Children who were questioned in a study last month said that tobacco displays in shops were ‘cool, fun and attractive.’

Studies have shown that smokers who start to smoke in their teenage years are likely to continue the habit throughout their life. Jean King says: “The influence of tobacco marketing must be removed from lives of young people.”