Minors easily buy cigarettes

Half of the youth younger than 16, who bought cigarettes in 2013 was never asked for their ID, as evidenced by a survey of TNS-NIPO, one of the oldest market research agencies in the Netherlands.

TNS-NIPO surveyed 4,377 random youth on 140 schools. The study was commissioned by the Trimbos Institute. 14.8 percent of youth in the age group 10-15 has smoked at one point. 2.5 percent of that group smokes on a daily basis, according to the study results.

Up to last year tobacco sales to youth younger than 16 were prohibited. The government upped the age limit to 18, starting January 1, 2014.