Under 18s

From 1 October 2007 it became illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under 18. This is a change from the previous age of 16.

If you're aged 18 or over you may need ID to buy tobacco products, which includes cigarettes, cigars, tobacco for roll your own and pipes, as well as rolling papers.

Figures show that most addicted adult smokers began smoking as teenagers. The law has been changed to help prevent people from starting in the first place, so that they can avoid the serious health dangers of smoking – it's addictive, causing serious harm and can have a dramatic effect on your appearance and attractiveness.

Implications of violence

Please be considerate and understanding to shopkeepers, as they could face hefty fines for selling tobacco products to people under 18. Physical or verbal abuse of staff is unacceptable and you risk being arrested or fined for such behaviour. It's just not worth it.


Over 18s

If you're over 18, but look under 21, we recommend that you carry one of the following types of photo identification. Anyone who sells tobacco to an underage person may get a heavy fine, so they'll be checking everyone who looks under 21, just to be sure.

To prove you're over 18, valid photo ID includes:

Make sure your proof of age card is 'PASS' accredited. Log on to the Link opens in new windowPASS accredited proof of age scheme website to see what the hologram logo looks like.

Need help to quit?

  • Call Smokeline 0800 84 84 84
  • Visit Link opens in new windowwww.canstopsmoking.com
  • Free nicotine gum and patches are available to all 12 to 17-year-olds from NHS smoking cessation services or GPs