Young People and Smoking
Two-thirds of smokers start smoking before they are 18. By the age of 15, 12% of boys and 19% of girls smoke, the rate increasing in the late teens and early twenties.
To reduce the rate of smoking among young people, the UK government has adopted a policy of working towards a smokefree society:
- The Smokefree Legislation was introduced in July 2007.
- The age of purchasing tobacco was raised to 18 in October 2007.
- Retailer sanctions were introduced in April 2009.
- Picture warnings were introduced on packs of cigarettes from October 2008.
- The Health Act 2009 includes legislation to ban tobacco vending machines and prohibit the display of tobacco products at point of sale. All tobacco products must be removed from display from October 2011 in small retailers and from October 2013 in large retailers. The Government is currently consulting on the regulations.
If you would like to develop your awareness around smoking and young people, you can access our e-learning course.
There are also half-day workshops available on Smoking and Young People for anyone working in the Hampshire County Council area. For more information please visit the Hampshire Learning Zone.
