The purchase of tobacco to under-18s is as illegal as the sale of it

Under-18s have been banned from purchasing tobacco products after a vote in the States.

It has been against the law in Jersey and Guernsey for decades, but the island's States only voted on Wednesday to stop tobacco sales to children.

The General Services Committee believes although Alderney does not have a major underage smoking problem, it is time to come into line with the other islands.

Alderney has gone one step further though in making the purchasing of tobacco illegal as well as the sale, putting the onus on both children and shopkeepers.

Guernsey has recently raised the legal smoking age to 18. But in Jersey and the UK, 16-year-olds can buy cigarettes legally.