Legal challenge delays tobacco display ban

MSPs voted last year to outlaw the open display of tobacco products to discourage a new generation of smokers. The ban was due to begin for "large retailers" on October 1.

However, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said Imperial Tobacco's appeal against an earlier decision dismissing its legal challenge meant that date was no longer realistic.

Smokers' group Forest welcomed the hold up, saying it hoped it marked the "beginning of the end" for the tobacco display ban. But Ben McKendrick, of the British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: "This continued legal action is reprehensible. Elected politicians listened to the arguments and voted for measures to stop children being exposed to tobacco marketing.

"The tobacco industry failed to win that battle and is now using legal skulduggery to try and overturn the ban.

Labour health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson said it was disappointing the ban was being delayed by Imperial Tobacco. "I deeply regret the fact that they are trying to oppose legislation which will ultimately save people's lives."

Ms Robison said: "We remain fully committed to this policy and are continuing to work with the retail industry to prepare for implementation."