Cllr Stewart Dickson said: “I welcome this review but I want to ask the Health Minister to fast track the currently interminable consultation process. We need the legal age for purchasing tobacco raised to 18 urgently. An issue as clear cut as this one needs little consultation conducted on it.
“Anything holding up this change in the law, like this extremely long consultation period, is stopping vitally important legislation which will protect young people’s health being put in place.
“Changing the law will be a positive step but changing attitudes is also essential. An increase in the legal age for purchasing tobacco must also be back up by a strong awareness raising campaign, particularly focused on under 18s.”
ENDS