UK: Supermarket Ban on Cigarette and Tobacco Displays Comes into Force

Source from:  stv.tv 04/28/2013

Large retailers have been banned from displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products after new legislation came into force on Sunday.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson claimed the move was the "right step" to deter young people from taking up smoking.

The open display ban was introduced as part of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010, which will also see the sale of cigarettes from vending machines prohibited.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland have already brought in similar bans to prevent large stores from displaying cigarettes and tobacco.

Stores that do not comply could be convicted of a criminal offence or receive a fixed penalty fine from trading standards officers.

"These bans are the right step to prevent young people in Scotland from taking up smoking," Mr Matheson said.

"It is well known that smoking is associated with a range of illness and is the primary preventable cause of ill health and premature death. Each year, tobacco use is associated with over 13,000 deaths and 56,000 hospital admissions in Scotland.

"That is why it is so important that this government works to improve health by reducing the number of people who choose to smoke and evidence shows that young people exposed to the promotion of tobacco are more likely to try smoking."

The Scottish Government's Tobacco Control Strategy also supports the introduction of standardised packaging.

Vicky Crichton, senior public affairs manager in Scotland for Cancer Research UK, said: "The next step is to remove all branding from cigarette packs. This would mean an end to the glitzy, slickly designed packs that can lure young people into thinking tobacco isn't lethal and would make all tobacco brands look the same."

The Tobacco Retailers' Alliance (TRA) - which represents more than 26,000 shopkeepers across the UK - has argued against the new legislation.

TRA Scotland spokesman Geoff Barrett, who is a retailer in Glasgow, said: "There is still no credible evidence that introducing this ban will stop young people smoking.

"That's not really surprising because we all know young people smoke because of peer pressure or because friends or families smoke.

"Instead of burdening retailers with yet more regulation and restrictions, the Scottish Government should look at tackling the problem of tobacco smuggling, which is endemic across Scotland and which is a key source of tobacco for Scotland's underage smokers.

"Tobacco smugglers never ask the age of their customers if they think they are under 18, the way retailers have to.

"It also doesn't make any sense that the UK Government is still looking at putting tobacco in plain packaging before this latest restriction on display has even been implemented in Scotland, let alone evaluated."

Large shops are defined as those with a relevant floor area exceeding 280 square metres. Smaller retailers have until April 6, 2015 to comply with the display ban. Enditem