Plans to make it illegal for adults to proxy purchase tobacco, cigarette papers and nicotine containing products for under 18s are progressing through Parliament.

The Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 have now been laid before parliament as part of amendments to the Children and Families Act.

They will also make it illegal for retailers to sell electronic cigarettes to under 18s.

Welcoming the news, NFRN national president Martyn Brown said: “It is immensely frustrating for responsible retailers to refuse to sell tobacco to someone they believe to be under 18 only for an adult to come in and purchase the product on the youngster’s behalf.

”That’s why we have campaigned long and hard for proxy purchasing to be made illegal and we are delighted that regulations making it an offence for an adult to purchase tobacco or cigarette papers on behalf of someone under 18 have now been published.

“Equally pleasing is the fact that it will also be an offence for an adult to purchase relevant nicotine products on behalf of a minor.

“Our hope now is that the government ensures that these regulations are passed speedily through parliament.”