Majority believe legal smoking age should rise from 18 to 21

The results of a consultation called Clearing the Air were published today, No Smoking Day.

The Health Improvement Commission believes its findings show that the Guernsey public would back bold and tough policies to control tobacco use. The consultation involved a survey completed by 906 adults, and focus groups with 30 young people, and HIC said it revealed strong public support for 11 potential new policies.

‘We conducted this research because despite local smoking rates reducing in recent times, smoking continues to cause around 10% of deaths of people aged 35 and older,’ said Lucy Cave, the commission’s tobacco harm reduction officer.

‘One of the most surprising aspects was that there was support for proposals across the board. We’ve had a look at the UK equivalent and we found results either on par or more strongly supported over here.

‘So we have seen that our public are looking for bolder measures.’

Headline statistics included fewer than one in four people opposing banning smoking on beaches and almost nine out of 10 islanders supporting a ban on smoking in children’s playgrounds.

The policy suggestion that was least favoured was banning smoking outside pubs, but this was still only opposed by 30% of respondents.

In November 2024, the UK government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create the first smoke-free generation with the age limit for smoking increasing every year. This would mean children turning 15 in 2024 could never legally be sold tobacco. While less popular than a simple increase to the age of 21, this was still backed by 64% of islanders, and only opposed by one in five.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said the findings were helpful.

‘This provides information to the Committee for Health & Social Care and the States to inform future policy development,’ she said.

Public Health has targeted a smoking rate of 5% or less by 2030, which would give the island ‘smokefree’ status.

The prevalence of adult smoking in the Bailiwick has decreased from 29% in the 1970s to 9% in 2023.

And Miss Cave said that Guernsey had a history of taking bold measures to reduce smoking rates.

In 1977, Aurigny became the first smoke-free airline in the world and Guernsey was the first in the British Isles to adopt a complete ban on tobacco advertising.

Despite promising progress, local data shows that smoking is still more common among certain groups, with 20% of those living in affordable housing still smoking, compared to 5% for those renting or living in their own home.

Miss Cave said that what happened next would be down to deputies.

‘The report has now gone to HSC, and it will be for them to put to the assembly,’ she said.

‘Whether that is this term or next is not up to the Health Improvement Commission. But with the timing of it I think it will probably be something that will come during the election.’