Ban leaves students hot under collar

The age change, introduced on Monday, has increased the legal age for buying cigarettes from 16 to 18 and some of the town’s 18-year-olds are concerned it may mean they will be unable to buy cigarettes.

The Star asked students at Doncaster College for their reaction to the ban, which was brought in after campaigning from Mexborough MP Jeff Ennis.

Danielle Goodwin, aged 18, who lives in Cantley, said: “I’m going to have to carry ID with me all the time because I know I don’t look over 18 - it’s a real pain. I’m expecting to get asked a lot - I suppose the shop assistants are only doing their job but it’s no fun for me.”

Nikita Hill, who is 19, agreed: “I think it’s disgraceful. I’ve even been asked to show ID when I’m buying cigarette papers - and there’s no legislation about buying them whatsoever.

“I’ve been buying cigarettes for years without any problem but this week I’ve already been asked to show ID - it’s absurd, it’s perfectly legal for me to smoke - putting an age on buying cigarettes achieves nothing but causing a nuisance for everyone; the shopkeepers and the smokers.”

Greg Travis, 18, said he was asked to prove his age within two hours of the shops opening on Monday morning. Yet he feels the rule change may be a good thing.

He said: “It was a bit annoying to be asked. When you reach 18 you sort of think all that nonsense is behind you. And it’s really irritating to think that if I leave my wallet at home I probably won’t be able to buy any cigarettes.

“However, if it stops anybody taking up smoking its got to be a good thing - I wish I’d never started.”

Thomas Guy, also 18, is unworried by the change in the law: “It really doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I always carry ID with me anyway.”