Tobacco firms say age for buying cigarettes should go up to 18

Dutch tobacco companies have written to the health ministry urging the new government to put up the age limit for buying cigarettes and rolling tobacco from 16 to 18.


Ministers plan to increase the legal age at which teenagers can buy alcohol from 16 to 18 because research shows it has a preventative effect. This same motivation could also be applied to tobacco products, the SSI, VNK and Philip Morris Benelux say.
In the letter, the companies say they are keen to discourage youngsters from taking up smoking, news agency ANP reports.

A genuine move or cynical ploy? Share your thoughts using the comment box below.

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