Doctors urge Executive to raise age to buy cigarettes
THE Scottish Executive has been challenged to match English plans to increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes to 18. The Department of Health yesterday confirmed that ministers plan to take powers to set the minimum age for smoking cigarettes in England. The department promised "swift action" to raise the age limit south of the Border.
The Executive has had similar powers since last year, but has so far held off increasing the age limit in Scotland.
Instead, ministers delayed a decision, asking an advisory panel of doctors to report on the issue later this year.
Last night, the head of that review signalled that the panel wants an age-limit of 18 in Scotland, up from 16.
Lawrence Gruer, the director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, told The Scotsman it would be "preferable" for Scotland and England "to move forward together" on smoking laws.
Although Executive spokesmen said that no decisions have been made about the smoking age in Scotland, Dr Gruer suggested that the doctors are likely to seek an increase when they report in May.
Meanwhile, in a vote later this month, MPs are to be given three different options on giving England rules to match Scotland's ban on smoking in public places.
