The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 27th January 2010, with an overwhelming majority of 108 to 15 MSPs in favour. The Act contains measures aimed specifically at reducing the attractiveness and availability of tobacco to under 18s.
The Act:
- bans the display of tobacco and smoking related products in shops;
- bans the sale of tobacco from vending machines;
- introduces a tobacco sales registration scheme, which will be free for retailers to join;
- makes it an offence for under 18s to purchase tobacco;
- makes it an offence for adults to buy tobacco for under 18s (proxy purchase);
- gives trading standards officers powers to issue fixed penalty notices, and
- gives courts the power to ban retailers from selling tobacco where they have continually broken the law.
The Act also amends the eligibility criteria for persons wishing to run a GP practice.
Scottish Tobacco Retailer Register
From 1st April 2011, The Scottish Government is bringing new legislation into force as part of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010.
On 1st April 2011, there will be a new Scottish Tobacco Retailer Register. It will be illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products if they are not registered by 1st October 2011.
To continue selling tobacco products, Retailers will have to sign up to the Scottish Tobacco Retailer Register. The register will open from 1 April but retailers will be able to sign up until 1st October 2011, giving retailers a full six months to join. After this date, it will be illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products if they are not on the register.
Registration is quick and free and can be done in a number of ways. Firstly, retailers can register on the Scottish Tobacco Retailer Register homepage at www.tobaccoregisterscotland.org and complete the web-based form.
Retailers can also register on paper by downloading the registration form or by requesting a copy of the form by calling 0131 244 2169. Once completed the form should be sent to the Scottish Government, Tobacco Control Team, Area 3EN, St Andrew's House, Regent Road Edinburgh, EH1 3DG.