Health ministers are to ban the sale of tobacco to 16- and 17-year-olds from next year, changing a law that was put in place 70 years ago.

The government will begin to "consult" next week on the ban, but privately the decision has already been taken to make it law.
It will mean that from 2007, a 17-year-old will be old enough in law to drive a car, fight in Iraq, have sex and get married – but too young to vote or buy alcohol or cigarettes. (pi)