Clive Sneddon welcomes report of the Smoking Prevention Working Group
Dundee East Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Dr Clive Sneddon today (Saturday 2nd December) welcomed the detailed research by the Smoking Prevention Working Group aimed at reducing the damage done by smoking to the health of young people.
Clive said, "Whereas adults should remain free to make their own decisions about the use of tobacco subject to not harming others, it is important that young people are given the space not to be exposed to tobacco from an early age, that measures such as the non-display of cigarettes in shops be implemented, and that the recommended advice and support services be made available to young people, parents and expectant mothers.
"The proposal to raise to 18 the age at which tobacco can be bought should however be the subject of meaningful consultation with young people, through for example the Scottish Youth Parliament, since it is likely that for many smoking patterns are already established before then, and there is no real international evidence on the effect of limiting tobacco to the over 18s.
Clive concluded, "The report's recommendations on enforcement are to be welcomed, with education of retailers and trading standards officers, the use of proof of age and more test purchasing, and repeated breaches of the law by retailers leading to banning the offending retailer from selling tobacco at all."