What is the minimum age for buying tobacco products

[Von Tonner]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.

[Dowly]

Used to be 16 here too, now 18.

[JSLTIGER]

18 in the US.

[STEED]

18 in the UK

[Schroeder]

Not sure whether it is still 16 over here. I heard they wanted to raise the age, so maybe it's 18 by now (I don't smoke so I don't care much).

We have the warning labels too and restaurants must have separated smoking-areas (until some judge kills that new law again...:roll:).

Tobacco-products also mustn't be advertised on tv.

[Skybird]

Now 18 in Germany for sure, Schroeder. ;)

I think it should be raised to 21, though. Medical statistics show very signficant that if you haven't turned a young person into a smoker by his early 20s, probability that she/he will become a smoker later in her/his life falls by a hopping 80%, or even more.

that'S why tobacco industry was bombarding the young ones with tailored adverts so vehemently. they knew that if they have not turned them into addicts before 20, the battle is lost for them most of the time.

Would like to see alcohol being sold to 21 or older only, too, maybe beer and vine for those being 18-21 only in presence of adult parents (if the the parents are not medically classified as alcoholics). seeing all the youngster drinking like crazy at times annoys me and breaks my heart at the same time. Most people simply are nopt really grown up with 18, and at that age you tick differently, and simply often do not know what you are doing. Not to mention that you do not care. softdrinks including alcohol should be banned and forbidden altogether, period.

[Etienne]

18 here - but then, so's alcohol.

Tobacco companies cannot advertise at all; tobacco products must not be visible to the consumer in a store (You have to specifically ask for a brand), you cannot smoke inside a public building, including restaurant and bars, or withing 9 meters of the door to a public building such as a school or hospital.

They should just ban the stuff altogether. But I guess they make too much money off taxes.

[Etienne]

I think it should be raised to 21, though. Medical statistics show very signficant that if you haven't turned a young person into a smoker by his early 20s, probability that she/he will become a smoker later in her/his life falls by a hopping 80%, or even more.

I'm not sure that would help; people around here start smoking around 14 anyway... It's pretty easy to get smokes even when you're underage.

[peterloo]

In Hong Kong -- 18

However, a minimum age helps nothing in stopping teens from buying tobacco. They may ask someone to buy the cigarette for them, or if they are tall enough, they can simply buy it themselves since nobody gonna check his identity card everytime they buy cigarette and the sales judge their age by their outlook only. Furthermore, some retailers choose to keep a blind eye to this type of activity in order to avoid offending their customers and hurt sales

So, although it may be a good suggestion, I'm afraid that Skybird's idea might not work. Education, might be better, but the overall effect is still low as the youngsters just take it as "propaganda" and dismiss them

[HunterICX]

18 in España

HunterICX

[Kapitan]

same here just went up from 16 to 18

[STEED]

The way food prices are going up here it wont be long before cigs are cheaper than food. :rotfl:

[Murr44]

I think that it's 18 here and Ontario has just passed a law requiring all stores that sell cigarettes to hide them behind an opague shield. While I support measures that discourage kids from smoking (I won't buy for, or even give a cigarette to anyone who looks under 25) I think this is a bit over the top. Kids will always get cigarettes if they're determined enough & there are plenty of unscrupulous corner store owners who will sell to them. The government seems a bit hypocritical as well; considering all the tax revenue they receive from tobacco products.

[Murr44]

The way food prices are going up here it wont be long before cigs are cheaper than food. :rotfl:

I guess that they're worried that people are becoming obese & are encouraging them to lose weight...:D

[STEED]

The way food prices are going up here it wont be long before cigs are cheaper than food. :rotfl:

I guess that they're worried that people are becoming obese & are encouraging them to lose weight...:D

Loose weight via lung, mouth, throat and many more cancers from smoking. Well there goes the NHS to the wall, no wait minute it already has.

[FIREWALL]

About everthing VonTonner posted and also BARS. :eek:

[Jimbuna]

The way food prices are going up here it wont be long before cigs are cheaper than food. :rotfl:

I guess that they're worried that people are becoming obese & are encouraging them to lose weight...:D

Loose weight via lung, mouth, throat and many more cancers from smoking. Well there goes the NHS to the wall, no wait minute it already has.

There was recently a case where a woman with cancer was refused NHS treatment because she commenced paying privately for a drug unavailable via the NHS.

When her money was exhausted she was refused the treatment and eventually died :nope:

[AVGWarhawk]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.


All of this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so. I'm surprised this had taken so long in South Africa. I guess countries see differently on certain things.

[Platapus]

The physical age here is 18. The mental age is debatable considering why anyone today would even consider smoking. :down:

Older generations may have an excuse, but I simply can't understand why young people are smoking these days. :88)

[Von Tonner]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.

All of this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so. I'm surprised this had taken so long in South Africa. I guess countries see differently on certain things.

Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama)


No statewide smoking ban. A bill to enact a statewide smoking ban failed before the Alabama Legislature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Legislature) in May of 2008.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-1)
Gadsden, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in all restaurants within the city limits, effective 5 May (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_5) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Decatur, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in businesses, including restaurants and bars, effective 1 October (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_1) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-2)Pull the other one, I don't know if you realise but America is a federal state - i.e. All and any state can and does pass legislation on tobacco sales and use outside of federal legislation, to say as you do that "all this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so", well I guess no one told Alabama or any other state with similar laws. Federal government does not legislate on a law governing tobacco sales and use which can and does overide state legislation - so to say that "all this happened in the US 15 years ago" is incorrect. What SA has done, is pass legislation which is applicable to all it states( we call them provinces) which is a far cry from what the US has done.

[Von Tonner]

The physical age here is 18. The mental age is debatable considering why anyone today would even consider smoking. :down:

Older generations may have an excuse, but I simply can't understand why young people are smoking these days. :88)
It is strange (maybe not) but I started smoking at the age of 18 because my friends all smoked - so to be in with the crowd I did. I stopped at around 28 because the friends I then had did not. It really is a peer pressure thing I think, at least in my case. I now find it strange to see young girls smoking given the negative publicity - guys are different, there attitude has always been "screw them - they ain't going to preach to me, I'm one of the boys"

[AVGWarhawk]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.

All of this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so. I'm surprised this had taken so long in South Africa. I guess countries see differently on certain things.
Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama)
No statewide smoking ban. A bill to enact a statewide smoking ban failed before the Alabama Legislature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Legislature) in May of 2008.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-1)
Gadsden, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in all restaurants within the city limits, effective 5 May (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_5) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Decatur, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in businesses, including restaurants and bars, effective 1 October (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_1) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-2)Pull the other one, I don't know if you realise but America is a federal state - i.e. All and any state can and does pass legislation on tobacco sales and use outside of federal legislation, to say as you do that "all this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so", well I guess no one told Alabama or any other state with similar laws. Federal government does not legislate on a law governing tobacco sales and use which can and does overide state legislation - so to say that "all this happened in the US 15 years ago" is incorrect. What SA has done, is pass legislation which is applicable to all it states( we call them provinces) which is a far cry from what the US has done.

Read again, this has been happening in the past 15 years or so. Happening, meaning, over the past 15 years, legislature has been passing around the country in those 15 years imposing these rules. I did not state it was one fell swoop of legislation. If so, I would have pointed out the year ALL had to follow the new legislation and "past 15 years" would be incorrect. But yes, some states have not imposed some regulations concerning tobacco, hence in the past 15 years, there has been a move to do all those things you have just witnessed in SA.

[Von Tonner]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.

All of this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so. I'm surprised this had taken so long in South Africa. I guess countries see differently on certain things.
Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama)
No statewide smoking ban. A bill to enact a statewide smoking ban failed before the Alabama Legislature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Legislature) in May of 2008.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-1)
Gadsden, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in all restaurants within the city limits, effective 5 May (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_5) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Decatur, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in businesses, including restaurants and bars, effective 1 October (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_1) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-2)Pull the other one, I don't know if you realise but America is a federal state - i.e. All and any state can and does pass legislation on tobacco sales and use outside of federal legislation, to say as you do that "all this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so", well I guess no one told Alabama or any other state with similar laws. Federal government does not legislate on a law governing tobacco sales and use which can and does overide state legislation - so to say that "all this happened in the US 15 years ago" is incorrect. What SA has done, is pass legislation which is applicable to all it states( we call them provinces) which is a far cry from what the US has done.

Read again, this has been happening in the past 15 years or so. Happening, meaning, over the past 15 years, legislature has been passing around the country in those 15 years imposing these rules. I did not state it was one fell swoop of legislation. If so, I would have pointed out the year ALL had to follow the new legislation and "past 15 years" would be incorrect. But yes, some states have not imposed some regulations concerning tobacco, hence in the past 15 years, there has been a move to do all those things you have just witnessed in SA.
Sorry, I apologise, I took your statement "All this has happened in the US" as collective. My mistake.

[kiwi_2005]

18 here in NZ, we also started this year with the tobbacco packets and tailormades graphic pictures on them displaying cancer patients eg, body parts missing chunks of flesh or cancer in the mouth etc., Although statistics show it hasn't put smokers off.

[AVGWarhawk]

SA has just introduced legislation which raises the age from 16 to 18 years in buying tobacco products. This got me wondering what it was in other countries.

They have also banned tobacco companies from promoting or sponsoring any event unless such sponsorship is done anonymously.

No tobacco products can be sold in health or educational facilities.

We already have legislation which bans smoking in public places such as theaters, shopping malls etc. Restaurants have to have smoking areas.

Plus there has to be warnings on all tobacco products that it is detrimental to your health together with further new regulations compelling manufacturers to display ghastly images of people suffering from smoking-related diseases to create public awareness on the dangers of smoking.

All of this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so. I'm surprised this had taken so long in South Africa. I guess countries see differently on certain things.
Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama)

No statewide smoking ban. A bill to enact a statewide smoking ban failed before the Alabama Legislature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Legislature) in May of 2008.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-1)
Gadsden, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in all restaurants within the city limits, effective 5 May (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_5) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Decatur, Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur%2C_Alabama) banned smoking in businesses, including restaurants and bars, effective 1 October (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_1) 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#cite_not e-2)Pull the other one, I don't know if you realise but America is a federal state - i.e. All and any state can and does pass legislation on tobacco sales and use outside of federal legislation, to say as you do that "all this has happened in the US in the past 15 years or so", well I guess no one told Alabama or any other state with similar laws. Federal government does not legislate on a law governing tobacco sales and use which can and does overide state legislation - so to say that "all this happened in the US 15 years ago" is incorrect. What SA has done, is pass legislation which is applicable to all it states( we call them provinces) which is a far cry from what the US has done.

Read again, this has been happening in the past 15 years or so. Happening, meaning, over the past 15 years, legislature has been passing around the country in those 15 years imposing these rules. I did not state it was one fell swoop of legislation. If so, I would have pointed out the year ALL had to follow the new legislation and "past 15 years" would be incorrect. But yes, some states have not imposed some regulations concerning tobacco, hence in the past 15 years, there has been a move to do all those things you have just witnessed in SA.
Sorry, I apologise, I took your statement "All this has happened in the US" as collective. My mistake.

Actually on second thought my wording is obscure. I have a habit thinking others around the world are experiencing day to day happenings in the US when infact, persons such as yourself in SA, do not. There are just as many simularities between countries as there are not. All on the up and up. I respect your opinions most definitely:up: Besides, I can state with certainty that I have a friend in SA.:D

[Monica Lewinsky]

State of Illinois = 18

even though I see plenty of 14 year olds with purple or green hair sitting on the sidewalk near the store that sells them looking like they just landed on planet Earth pondering what minimum age is all about i.e., "spaced out" look. :huh:

The law makers and law enforcers are a fricking laughing JOKE were I live. The laws give the do-good 'ers this:

"It's like pissing in your pants with dark pants on."
No one seems to notice, but it gives you a warm feeling all over.

Had someone break into my house in 2004. Went to EVERY court date that the s.o.b. had. Got a 5 year sentence for my thing and others. He was out in 4 months !!! because of the over crowding condititions and considered a petty thief!

Story got better, he is back in prison - 10 years. Seems he hit someone -walking -with a car and just happened to have a revoked drivers license ... and he smokes.

[Sailor Steve]

18 in the US.
Is that a federal law or just where you're at? Here in Utah it's 19.

On the other hand I've just spent the last month doing groundskeeping work at a hospital - a children's hospital. In fact, that's its name: Primary Children's Medical Center. I've done some weeding, some planting, some mowing; but what I've done most of is picking up trash, and most of that is cigarette butts. In the designated smoking area, in the parking terrace, around the main entrance (right in the areas clearly marked 'No Smoking'. I'm betting I pick up at least a thousand butts per week.

People don't care.

[JSLTIGER]

18 in the US. Is that a federal law or just where you're at? Here in Utah it's 19.

On the other hand I've just spent the last month doing groundskeeping work at a hospital - a children's hospital. In fact, that's its name: Primary Children's Medical Center. I've done some weeding, some planting, some mowing; but what I've done most of is picking up trash, and most of that is cigarette butts. In the designated smoking area, in the parking terrace, around the main entrance (right in the areas clearly marked 'No Smoking'. I'm betting I pick up at least a thousand butts per week.

People don't care.

Although each state has the right to set the age limit, it's pretty uniform. The minimum in the US is 18, except for Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey, Utah, and in New York the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Onondaga, where it is 19.