Laws on Alcohol and Laws on Alcohol and SmokingSmoking

Laws on AlcoholLaws on Alcohol

Age limit of 18 to buy alcohol.Age limit of 18 to buy alcohol. Licence holder can refuse sale to Licence holder can refuse sale to

anyone under age of 21.anyone under age of 21. Local authorities can ban drinking in Local authorities can ban drinking in

public places.public places. Police can confiscate alcohol from Police can confiscate alcohol from

under age drinkers in public places.under age drinkers in public places. No proof, no sale – must have proof No proof, no sale – must have proof

of buyof buy

Laws on alcoholLaws on alcohol

Responsible sale -must not serve someone who Responsible sale -must not serve someone who is drunk.is drunk.

No happy hours – prices set 48 hours in advanceNo happy hours – prices set 48 hours in advance Illegal to buy alcohol for under 18s - £5000 fine Illegal to buy alcohol for under 18s - £5000 fine

and/or 3 months in prisonand/or 3 months in prison Possible ChangesPossible Changes Raising the alcohol buying age to 21?Raising the alcohol buying age to 21? Fixing a minimum price for alcohol to cut cost of Fixing a minimum price for alcohol to cut cost of

alcohol abuse - £2.25 billion a year (£500 each)alcohol abuse - £2.25 billion a year (£500 each)

Laws on SmokingLaws on Smoking

Banned tobacco advertising and Banned tobacco advertising and sponsorship in 2002sponsorship in 2002

2006 - Banned smoking in enclosed 2006 - Banned smoking in enclosed placesplaces

2007 – raised the tobacco buying age 2007 – raised the tobacco buying age to 17. Retailers could be fined up to to 17. Retailers could be fined up to £2500 for selling cigarettes to under £2500 for selling cigarettes to under 18s.18s.

Possible changes

Licences for tobacco retailersLicences for tobacco retailers Ban behind counter displays of Ban behind counter displays of

cigarettescigarettes Introduce plain packagingIntroduce plain packaging Crack down on smuggling and Crack down on smuggling and

counterfeiting – costs the Govt. £10 counterfeiting – costs the Govt. £10 million a day in lost taxes.million a day in lost taxes.