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I was interested to read the article by Dr Hopkinson highlighting the benefits for increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 years old. In addition to studying medicine, I have worked for a decade as a part time Youth Worker, in a borough which has one of the highest smoking rates in Wales [1]. I have seen first-hand the impact smoking can have on young people. In extreme cases, I have seen young people smoking at 11 years old. On more than one occasion, I have had young people get breathless after light exercise, commenting that 'they wish they hadn't started smoking', something that speaks volumes about the tobacco intake of the older teenagers in our youth clubs.
Young people can be persistent in their character, and although I have no doubt that an increase in the legal age to purchase tobacco will result in fewer young people smoking, young people will always find a way to smoke should they wish. An increase in the cost of tobacco would also help to reduce the prevalence of smoking, however would not eradicate it. I believe in addition to the above, education surrounding smoking, and more targeted smoking cessation for young people will help reduce the rates. We have had some success in reducing the levels of smoking by educating young people, and highlighting the different schemes/methods to help them quit.
I have also witnessed more and more young people use e-cigarettes whilst in youth clubs. Some young people use these in addition to tobacco smoking, with many young people viewing the different flavour options and customisable options to e-cigarette devices (eg the colour, or the option to have a 'light up' vape) as attractive. Young people tend to see e-cigarettes as cleaner and safer [2].
I sincerely hope that a 'smokefree generation' will be the future; it will no doubt require a multi-faceted approach. Hopefully government will listen to the increasing voice to increase the age to legally buy tobacco. I thank Dr Hopkinson for highlighting such an important topic.
Yours faithfully,
Thomas Grother
[1] Hopkinson NS, Lester-George A, Ormiston-Smith N, Cox A, Arnott D. Child uptake of smoking by area across the UK. Thorax2014;69:873-5. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204379 pmid:24304854
[2] Hilton S, Weishaar H, Sweeting H, et al E-cigarettes, a safer alternative for teenagers? A UK focus group study of teenagers' views BMJ Open 2016;6:e013271. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013271
Competing interests:
No competing interests
07 April 2019
Thomas W Grother
Medical Student
Cardiff University
Centre for Medical Education, Cochrane Building, Heath Park, Cardiff
Re: Keep out of reach of children—the case for increasing the legal age for tobacco purchase to 21
Dear Editor,
I was interested to read the article by Dr Hopkinson highlighting the benefits for increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 years old. In addition to studying medicine, I have worked for a decade as a part time Youth Worker, in a borough which has one of the highest smoking rates in Wales [1]. I have seen first-hand the impact smoking can have on young people. In extreme cases, I have seen young people smoking at 11 years old. On more than one occasion, I have had young people get breathless after light exercise, commenting that 'they wish they hadn't started smoking', something that speaks volumes about the tobacco intake of the older teenagers in our youth clubs.
Young people can be persistent in their character, and although I have no doubt that an increase in the legal age to purchase tobacco will result in fewer young people smoking, young people will always find a way to smoke should they wish. An increase in the cost of tobacco would also help to reduce the prevalence of smoking, however would not eradicate it. I believe in addition to the above, education surrounding smoking, and more targeted smoking cessation for young people will help reduce the rates. We have had some success in reducing the levels of smoking by educating young people, and highlighting the different schemes/methods to help them quit.
I have also witnessed more and more young people use e-cigarettes whilst in youth clubs. Some young people use these in addition to tobacco smoking, with many young people viewing the different flavour options and customisable options to e-cigarette devices (eg the colour, or the option to have a 'light up' vape) as attractive. Young people tend to see e-cigarettes as cleaner and safer [2].
I sincerely hope that a 'smokefree generation' will be the future; it will no doubt require a multi-faceted approach. Hopefully government will listen to the increasing voice to increase the age to legally buy tobacco. I thank Dr Hopkinson for highlighting such an important topic.
Yours faithfully,
Thomas Grother
[1] Hopkinson NS, Lester-George A, Ormiston-Smith N, Cox A, Arnott D. Child uptake of smoking by area across the UK. Thorax2014;69:873-5. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204379 pmid:24304854
[2] Hilton S, Weishaar H, Sweeting H, et al E-cigarettes, a safer alternative for teenagers? A UK focus group study of teenagers' views BMJ Open 2016;6:e013271. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013271
Competing interests: No competing interests