Asda raises age for buying cigarettes to 18
ASDA has become the first major retailer to raise the age for buying cigarettes in its stores from 16 to 18. The supermarket's staff will ask customers who look under 21 to prove their age before selling them tobacco.
The move comes ahead of a government decision on whether to raise the age for the sale of cigarettes by law. In Scotland, the Executive is mulling the change using powers granted in the recent Smoking Act. In England and Wales, the Department of Health this month launched a consultation on the issue.
Asda yesterday said it will also raise the age for buying knives in its stores to 18. Both initiatives come into force on 1 September.
The Challenge 21 scheme already operates across several supermarket chains in relation to sales of alcohol, fireworks and 18-rated DVDs and computer games. The chain is calling on other retailers to follow its lead.
Ian Willmore, spokesman for anti-smoking group ASH,
said: "We hope this will set an example to all retailers."
A spokesman for the Executive said a committee considering the minimum age for buying cigarettes in Scotland would deliver its report "soon".
