End of open display and vending machine sales - Tobacco bans come into force

The changes are part of a range of measures to improve health by reducing the number of people choosing to smoke, and comes into force a month after the launch of the Scottish Government Tobacco Control Strategy.

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said:

“After successfully defending against legal challenges, I am delighted to see the bans on open display of tobacco in shops and sale of tobacco from automatic vending machines now come into force. These bans are the right step to prevent young people in Scotland from taking up smoking.

“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 display bans will therefore play a crucial role in reducing the number of young people that choose to smoke.

“The new legislation has the support of several major health charities and lobbying organisations across Scotland.”

The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 prohibits the display of tobacco products and smoking related products in places where tobacco products are offered for sale.

The ban will come into force for smaller retailers on 6 April 2015.

Spurce: www.scotland.gov.u