Smokers ignorant of age law

A THIRD of adult smokers do not know the minimum legal age for buying cigarettes is now 18, three years after the law was changed.

A survey by the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association (TMA) also found more than 80 per cent believed government, councils and trading standards should raise awareness of the need for proof of age for tobacco sales.

TMA chief executive Christopher Ogden said: "For the last three years it has been illegal in Scotland to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.

"It is clear from our survey that more needs to be done by all stakeholders involved in youth access prevention to raise the levels of awareness of the minimum age and the need for proof of age for tobacco sales.

"The key issue is for retailers to continue to establish age at point-of-sale before they allow a purchase to be made."