Plan to extend tobacco laws

Published on Thursday 11 June 2009 10:14

PROPOSED new laws on tobacco could be extended to stop adults buying cigarettes for underage youngsters.

Public health minister Shona Robison said she would consider if such a measure should be introduced.

She gave the pledge when she was questioned yesterday by MSPs on Holyrood's mealth and sport committee on new laws being put forward by the Scottish Government aimed at curbing sales of tobacco and cigarettes to young people.

Ms Robison also defended plans to ban tobacco displays in shops – another of the measures included in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.

Ms Robison told the committee that some 15,000 young Scots take up smoking every year and said: "The potential impact on their health is frightening."

As well as setting out to ban the display of tobacco at the point of sale, the Bill also proposes a ban on selling cigarettes in vending machines, along with a new registration scheme for tobacco retailers.