Government Announces Landmark Tobacco Reform: Higher Minimum Age for Tobacco Buyers Looms In a significant move aimed at reducing smoking rates among young people, the government has unveiled plans to gradually increase the minimum age for buying tobacco products. From 2027, the legal age will rise by one year annually, effectively phasing out the sale of tobacco to those under 20 by 2031. The policy change is part of a broader effort to curb the devastating health impacts of smoking and vaping, which claim thousands of lives each year. As the age restrictions take effect, retailers and health advocates alike will be watching closely to gauge the impact on youth smoking rates and the black market.
The legal age to buy tobacco products will rise by one year, every year, from 2027.
