Cigarette Sales To Children

[barry1010]

Can anyone remember when it became illegal to sell cigarettes and tobacco to under 16?

[Hopkirk]

Probably mid seventies.

I can remember when there was a cigarette vending machine outside our local parade of shops.

[Canary42]

Before 1950, which was when I first tried it ;-)

[Buenchico]

I doubt that many people will remember it, Barry, as the relevant legislation was the Children's Act of 1908!

[Buenchico]

https://schoolshistory.org.uk/topics/british-history/modern-britain/liberal-reforms/childrens-young-persons-act-childrens-charter-1908/

[barry1010]

How could that be enforced with on street vending machines? I used to fetch my mother's cigarettes from the corner shop and the shop near my school sold singles to the school kids.
Maybe I should have asked when the law was first enforced and shopkeepers prosecuted

[maggiebee]

Early 60s I could buy a single cig and a match for 1d

[barry1010]

Yes indeed, Maggie.

[douglas9401]

Five Park Drive and a book of matches.

Happy days

[Tuvok]

New Zealand has the right idea
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/zealand-passes-world-first-tobacco-051630936.html

[barry1010]

I saw that, Tuvok, that is what got me thinking about the laws here.

[jno]

they may save on not having to treat smoking-related illnesses, but end up spending more on age-related illnesses

[Canary42]

That N Z law is very commendable, but almost impossible to enforce. It would mean age-proof-checks for everyone trying to buy cigarettes.

But a good case for compulsory ID cards I suppose (do they have that in New Zealand?)