Health officials are considering to raise the age of sale of tobacco to 21 and a ban on flavoured e-cigarettes as part of a new strategy for the government’s smoke-free 2030 ambition, according to a report.
Citing sources in the Department of Health and Social Care, the Daily Mirror reported that a crackdown on young smokers will be a central aim of the strategy set to be launched by Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
However, campaigners warned that raising age of sale of tobacco won’t stop young people smoking.
“It will simply drive tobacco underground, bypassing legitimate retailers and enriching criminals who won’t stop to ask for proof of age,” Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest, said.
“Far from protecting younger consumers it will expose many more to illicit and counterfeit tobacco, origin unknown. For some it may even make smoking cool again.”
The Mirror said a clampdown on flavoured vaping products has been examined by policy experts, as has outlawing the sale of cigarettes to anyone under 21. The government might also restrict advertising of flavoured vaping products, it added.
The report, however, stated that Javid is “deeply skeptical” about raising the age limit, but has not yet ruled it out.
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