Norway - directorate would like to raise the legal age for buying tobacco from 18 to 20..

October 25, 2010 - Tobacco use in Norwegian adolescents is mainly associated with low educational ambitions and less affluent self-reported family economy. Adolescents with divorced parents use more tobacco than those living with both parents. Public health initiatives to avoid or reduce tobacco use should mainly target adolescents in vocational studies and those leaving school early. (PAPER: Social differences in smoking and snuff use among Norwegian adolescents: A population based survey, Liv Grotvedt et al., BMC Public Health 2008, 8:322)

The Norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs believes that the health of Norwegians could be improved by imposi0ther levies on tobacco, alcohol and what it sees as unhealthy foods.

In addition, the directorate would like to raise the legal age for buying tobacco from 18 to 20.

Scottish Cancer Specialist calls for raising the age to 21 to purchase tobacco products..

Reference: Proposal to raise tobacco purchase age to 20, Tobacco Reporter, 10/25/2010.

Norway - some related news briefs:
Norway - WHO wants govt to ban smoking in private home/gardens how about starting with cars when kids are present??;
Norway - the state of public health 2010 – new report published..;
Norway - health secretary no graphic warnings on snus boxes for now..;
Norway - Philip Morris announces lawsuit challenging tobacco product display ban..;
Norway - drops top cigarette makers from wealth fund..;
Norway - starting January 1, 2010 - tobacco no longer on display..;
Norway strict tobacco display ban by October 2009..