All Change for Young Smokers - Brake

11.09.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Sep 2007

Tom Brake is backing a campaign by local retailers to highlight new laws covering the sale of tobacco.

From 1 October, the legal age at which people can buy tobacco will be raised from 16 to 18.

Commenting on this new law, Tom Brake MP said: "Preventing the sale of tobacco to young people has to be a top priority. However, the transition has to be managed, and key to that is awareness in the community that the law has changed."

He added, "Refusing age restricted sales is already a major reason for retailers facing abuse, intimidation and violence. This is likely to increase after the 1st October, when older people will be asked for ID and some younger people can no longer buy tobacco."

There is strong evidence of increased health risks associated with becoming addicted to tobacco at a young age. It is expected that by raising the legal age of tobacco purchase, children are likely to find it more difficult to buy cigarettes which may reduce the number of children who become dependent on smoking.