Youth access
United Kingdom
Health Act 2009 (External Web Page)
Health Act 2009
Part 3 of the Health Act 2009 includes measures designed to protect children from tobacco by prohibiting the display of tobacco products at the point of sale. The Act also amends the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 by prohibiting the sale of tobacco products from vending machines.
Subject to regulations, the ban on point of sale displays will commence on 1 October 2011 in large shops and 1 October 2013 in small shops. The ban on sales of tobacco from vending machines is also due to take effect from October 2011. These measures apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A similar law for Scotland is under consideration.
The Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007
In force legislation England and Wales. A separate order exists for Scotland.
From 1 October 2007 the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco was raised from 16 to 18.
The Act updates and amends the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991.
Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (External Web Page)
In force legislation England, Wales and Scotland only
The Act amended and strengthened the existing Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Children and Young Persons Act (Scotland) 1937 regarding the sale of tobacco to minors.
This Act increased the penalties for the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 16, prohibited the sale of unpackaged cigarettes and made provision for local authorities to undertake enforcement action relating to offences connected to the sale of tobacco.
European Union
Recommendation on prevention of smoking and initiatives to improve tobacco control
EU COM(2002) 303 final (Proposal) (External Web Page)
This council recommendation seeks to tighten tobacco control measures with particular emphasis on youth access to tobacco.
Amongst the proposals:
- adult only access to cigarette machines
- removal of tobacco products from display
- young people to prove their age prior to purchase
- banning sales of packets of 10
These recommendations do not call for primary legislation but propose changes to existing legislation such as directives on product regulation and labelling.
