Opinion: Debate - Will a cigarette ban for under 18s cut children'ssmoking?

YES: IAN WILLMORE, SPOKESMAN, ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH - I think itwill cut children's smoking but not by a huge amount. Most young peoplewho smoke do it because they see it as an adult activity. This wouldsuggest that persuading adults to quit is likely to be more effectivethan many measures aimed specifically at young people. Putting theequivalent of an 18 certificate on a pack of cigarettes is notnecessarily going to discourage teenagers. We would agree with having alicensing system for cigarettes, in the same way as you have for thesale of alcohol.

NO: MATTHEW LEEKS, 15, SOUTH LONDON - Children under the age limit mightfind it harder to get cigarettes, so it might cut rates in that way butI don't think it will cut the numbers radically since kids will stilleasily have access through older friends or brothers and sisters. Ithink that moving the age up to 18 will help as really young smokersmight not be able to smoke but it won't help dramatically. Also, kidsview smoking as an adult activity and so may not be affected by such aban - as long as adults are still smoking kids will too.