Ash welcomes decline in number of young smokers

Public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has welcomed new statistics which show a decline in the number of smokers aged 16 and 17.

Amanda Sandford, research manager for Ash, said the trend represents "very, very good news", suggesting that it shows retailers are taking legislation making it illegal to sell cigarettes to under-18s seriously.

The comments come in response to a survey from University College London in the journal Addiction, showing that the proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds with smoking habits has fallen by seven per cent since the law came into effect in 2007.

Ms Sandford explained: "If teenagers can't buy cigarettes then it will reduce the likelihood that they will then go on to become regular smokers, as it's more difficult for them to obtain the cigarettes."

The findings coincide with recent Department of Health comments that more smokers are now making use of free NHS Stop Smoking Services to help them quit the habit.