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...).

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.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by 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.

[JSLTIGER]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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...

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Murr44

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

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.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

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

[FIREWALL]

About everthing VonTonner posted and also BARS.

[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.