§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the Royal College of Physicians Report on Smoking and the Young, they will consider: (a) raising the legal age for buying tobacco products to 18 years; (b) strengthening health warnings on tobacco products to make them more prominent and aimed towards the young; and (c) requiring local authorities to enforce and monitor recent legislation on sales of tobacco products to children.
§ Baroness CumberlegeThe Government have no plans to increase the minimum age at which tobacco products may be bought. The Tobacco Products Labelling (Safety) Regulations 1991 require all tobacco products to carry a general health warning. The regulations also require additional warnings on cigarette packets. The health warnings on cigarette packets that the Government have chosen are the largest and strongest in Europe. Legislation is being prepared which will require tobacco products other than cigarettes to carry further health warnings. Local authorities have a duty under the recent legislative amendments to consider at least once every 12 months what enforcement action would be appropriate in 3WA their area. As with any of their functions it is for the local authority to monitor its action for effectiveness and efficiency.