A failure by the Scottish Executive to publicise an increase in the legal smoking age to 18 will put shop workers at risk, according to the Scottish Grocers' Federation.

The change was proposed on 1 January by then Labour/Lib Dem Executive. But the SNP, voted into power in May, claimed there had been no time until last Thursday to pass the law, which comes into force on 1 October.

The SGF said this had left precious little time to communicate the changes to 16 and 17 year olds. "The Scottish Executive has been paralysed by procedure," said chief executive John Drummond. "Already retailers and shop workers face intimidation and abuse when challenging some youngsters to prove their age. But now with 16 and 17-year-olds losing their ability to smoke overnight, it is shop workers - not the politicians - who will be expected to enforce the law."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said a radio and press campaign would be launched now the law had been passed.

"We wanted the change to happen on 1 October because we did not want to be out of step with the rest of the UK," she added. "The law will help shopkeepers as there is more ID for over 18s than for 16 and 17-year-olds."

A spokesman for the Association of Convenience Stores said it had also pressured the Department of Health to publicise the change in England and Wales. But there had still not been enough publicity, he claimed.

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