Tobacco to be sold only top adults: a ban on younger than 18.

In the words of Maureen Moore, the chief executive of Ash Scotland and a member of the expert group, "Smoking is far worse than drinking. I am in favour of the ban on under-18s being able to buy cigarettes as part of a whole tobacco control strategy. If you raise the age, you are sending out a powerful message about the danger of tobacco and bringing it in line with the restrictions on the sale of alcohol."

According to a new study 6 per cent of 13-year-olds were regular smokers, with nearly two thirds buying cigarettes from shops. Almost 20 per cent of 15-year-olds smoke regularly and 86 per cent say they buy cigarettes from shops. This has sparked this step towards protecting health of individuals.