Charities hail display ban on cigarettes

Published on Friday 27 February 2009 08:44

CHARITIES have welcomed the move to ban cigarette displays and vending machines from shops and pubs.

Charities and lobby groups said the measures – announced yesterday by the Scottish Government – were another key step in the battle against smoking-related illnesses.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said as well as the banning of machines and displays, all retailers would have to register to sell cigarettes.

Chief executive of anti-smoking charity ASH, Sheila Duffy, said: "Preventing the tobacco industry from advertising its products at point of sale is a vital step towards ensuring that the next generation of young people in Scotland aren't hooked."

The new plans are included as part of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.

Ms Robison added: "The health risks associated with smoking are well documented. But stopping smoking is hard and the vast majority of smokers I've spoken to wish that they'd never started."