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Cigarette display ban a step closer
24/09/2009
Moves to end cigarette displays in shops took a step forward today following a vote in the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs voted in favour of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill today as it completed stage one of the parliamentary process. The bill now returns to the Health and Sport Committee for further scrutiny before a final vote in the Parliament.
The bill's key proposals include:
- Banning tobacco displays in shops
- Banning cigarette vending machines
- Introducing a registration scheme for retailers
- Fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under 18s
- Banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes if they continually flout the law
In today's debate, Public Health Minister Shona Robison told MSPs that ending the display of cigarettes in shops would help reduce child smoking in future generations.
Ms Robison said:
"The toll of smoking on our nation's health cannot be underestimated. For decades, too many Scots have suffered and died prematurely from smoking-related diseases.
"That's why, as part of our drive to end this misery, we are doing all we can to stop children from starting to smoke at all.
"Our decisive action will make cigarettes less attractive and less easily available to children and I am pleased that MSPs have given the bill their backing.
"Cigarettes are dangerous - they're not the type of product to be given pride of place in shops or available from self-service vending machines.
"Stopping future generations from smoking will help us make a huge leap forward in improving Scotland's health and I believe these proposals help us do just that."
Dr Laurence Gruer, NHS Health Scotland's Director of Public Health Science and chairman of the Smoking Prevention Working Group, said:
"The ban on displays of cigarettes behind the counter has my full support. It will close a loophole which has allowed the tobacco industry to continue to advertise its dangerous and addictive products.
"It will play an important part in helping to discourage young people from ever starting to smoke and is another step towards creating a healthier Scotland."
The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill was published in February.
The bill is expected to complete its passage through the parliament by the beginning of next year. Large retailers will then have until 2011 to implement the display ban while small retailers will have until 2013.
Smoking in public places in Scotland was banned on March 26, 2006. On October 1, 2007, the minimum age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18.
A survey of over 2,000 11-14 year olds in California found that exposure to tobacco marketing in convenience stores increased the chances of a child smoking by up to 50 per cent.