Jeffrey Ennis

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Local MP Introduces Bill to Raise the Age Limit of Cigarettes to 18 years

The local MP, Jeff Ennis will today introduce a Bill in Parliament (18TH October) to raise the age limit on cigarette sales from 16 to 18.

Jeff said “I am introducing this Bill to Parliament because I firmly believe it will help deter children from becoming regular smokers, whilst bringing the age of sale of tobacco in line with that of alcohol and other age- barred products.  This will assist retailers in identifying potential under age buyers.

There is clear evidence that has recently come from Guernsey who  introduced a higher age limit in 1997, that  bringing in such a measure has halved the number of young smokers on the Isle of Guernsey.”

Jeff went on to say “My Bill will bring this country in to line with other European countries including Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Iceland, Malta, Norway and Poland.  Scotland is also considering introducing this measure.”

A recent survey indicated that 80% of the public support raising the age of 16 to 18, particularly in the 18 to 24 age category.

Jeff concluded by saying “In my opinion this is a common sense measure which I hope the government will have the common sense to implement.”