Ciggies age may hit 21

SMOKING would be illegal until the age of 21 under a proposal to be considered by Australia’s health ministers.

The plan has the backing of Queensland Health Minister Dr Steven Miles, who believes it has merit but wants more detail.

“We will look seriously at anything that the evidence says will stop people from starting smoking,” he said.

West Australian Health Minister Roger Cook is pushing the minimum age increase, which is on the agenda for a high-level meeting tomorrow in Sydney.