PRESS RELEASE

Change in the law on age of sale for tobacco takes effect on 1 October 2007

69% of adults in the West Midlands believe that raising the age of sale for tobacco products ’makes sense’

From Monday 1 October 2007 retailers will be required by law not to sell tobacco products to under 18s and will need to display a statutory notice stating the new legal age restriction.  The Department of Health has launched an outdoor advertising campaign to raise awareness of this change in the law.

New research by YouGov has revealed that 69% of adults in the West Midlands believe it makes sense to raise the minimum age for the sale of tobacco to 18 in line with alcohol.  This backs up evidence from Ireland that shows the same law change there played a key role in reducing prevalence of teenage smoking.

Paul Hooper, Department of Health Tobacco Policy Manager said,

“The legislation has been introduced to help stop young people becoming addicted to nicotine. The younger a smoker starts the more likely they are to become regular smokers and ultimately be killed by their addiction. Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times as likely to die from cancer due to smoking as someone who starts in their mid-20s.”

The outdoor advertising is the culmination of an awareness campaign over the past four months to ensure that both retailers and teenagers are aware of the forthcoming law change.

In addition to the outdoor advertising, a direct mailing campaign has sent legislation toolkits to over 100,000 retailers informing them of the change and providing shop display information.  There has also been substantial stakeholder engagement with groups representing retailers and age of sale schemes, and presence in relevant media.  In recent weeks the campaign has advertised on social networking sites popular with teenagers.

The campaign is backed up by two websites:

- www.tobacco18.co.uk – which is aimed at young people directly affected

- www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk – for retailers and other stakeholders interested in the change

Accompanied by the strapline ‘You can try, but it won’t work’, the ads feature teenagers trying to look older whilst asking for cigarettes in a shop.  Copies of the ads and pictures of them in situ can be viewed at http://www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk/signage.html#poster

For free local help on smoking people can call the NHS smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169

ENDS – 25/9/07

Contact:

Sue Weston 07900 228977

Smoke Free Warwickshire is a multi-agency alliance committed to providing smoke free air, helping smokers to stop and promoting a tobacco free society.

NOTES

• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,157 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th September 2007.  The survey was carried out online.

• All survey respondents were asked:

-          To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? ‘Raising the MINIMUM age limit for the sale of tobacco to 18, in line with alcohol, makes sense?’

• From 1st October 2007 shops will be required by law not to sell to under 18s and risk prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500 if they do so. 18 and 19 year olds who want to buy cigarettes are advised to carry an accredited proof of age card or other valid form of ID (passport, photo driving licence) to prove their age.

• Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times as likely to die from cancer due to smoking as someone who starts in their mid-20s. (BMA, April 2007)

• Smoking prevalence rates among young people currently stand at around 9 per cent of 11-15 year olds and 26 per cent of 16-19 year olds.

• Smoking can also have a dramatic effect on how young people look. It prematurely ages skin by between 10 and 20 years; gives a sallow, yellow-grey complexion and a gaunt look; causes gum disease and bad breath; stains teeth and fingers; and increases the risk of cellulite. (CMO 2003 report/ASH)

• Smoking can also make people less attractive. Over two-thirds of young people say smoking reduces sexual attractiveness; nearly half of men associate smoking with wrinkles, bad skin, and less enjoyable kissing; and nearly half of smokers say they would quit to improve their sex appeal. (Survey conducted by ICM Research for the NHS Smoking Helpline)

• For those who want to stop smoking, the NHS offers a range of services that can help. Would-be-quitters can call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk to find the option that’s right for them. Since the start of 2006, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been made available on prescription to 12-18 year olds. As well as getting an NRT prescription from their GP, teenagers can also access NRT from their local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Send mail to smokefreewarwickshire@nhs.net with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: 2/09/08