As from Monday 1st October 2007, the smoking age in Scotland and across the UK has changed from 16 to 18 years of age. 22,000 information packs have been sent to retailers across Scotland, advising them of the change in the law and providing them with posters and leaflets for display. It is hoped that by increasing the age to 18 will prevent young people from being able to purchase cigarettes, as shopkeepers can challenge those who they believe are underage to provide proof of identity.
The move has been welcomed by many anti-smoking groups:

ASH Scotland says, 'Evidence shows the younger you start smoking, the more you smoke in adulthood, the more harm is done to your health, and the harder it is to give up. So it’s vital that we do all we can to stop our young people starting to smoke, and help those who have become addicted, to quit.

In addition to the smoking ban in public places last year, the new initiative   could potentially save the thousands of lives lost to smoking related diseases every year.

However, “If the Scottish Government really want to see this age change make a difference to the health of our future generations then they will back it with policies and funding for enforcement and for cessation and prevention work.(Chief Executive of ASH Scotland Maureen Moore OBE)

For more information please click on the following links:
http://www.ashscotland.org.uk/ash/5550.html

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/09/28154549