<P> Until 1 October 2007 the minimum age to purchase and consume tobacco products in public was 16 years of age . From 1 October 2007 the Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc .) Order 2007 became effective, raising the minimum purchase age to 18 years of age . There is no stated age under which it is illegal to consume tobacco, although an officer has the right to confiscate tobacco if the individual concerned is in a public place and under 16 . </P> <P> Children and Young Persons Act 1933--Section 7 (1) Any person who sells to a person under the age of eighteen years any tobacco or cigarette papers, whether for his own use or not, shall be liable, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale . (3) It shall be the duty of a constable and of a park - keeper being in uniform to seize any tobacco or cigarette papers in the possession of any person apparently under the age of sixteen years whom he finds smoking in any street or public place, and any tobacco or cigarette papers so seized shall be disposed of, if seized by a constable, in such manner as the police authority may direct, and if seized by a park - keeper, in such manner as the authority or person by whom he was appointed may direct . </P> <P> Until 30 September 2007 the minimum age to purchase and consume tobacco products in public was 16 years of age . From 30 September 2007 the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 became effective, raising the minimum purchase, consumption and possession age to 18 years of age . </P> <P> Section 4: Sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 (1) A person who sells a tobacco product or cigarette papers to a person under the age of 18 commits an offence . </P>

Is it illegal to smoke at 16 in the uk