MSPs committee backs ban on tobacco displays

A COMMITTEE of MSPs today backed plans to ban cigarette displays in shops.

The Scottish Parliament's health and sport committee said it believed forcing retailers to keep tobacco products out of sight would help deter teenagers from smoking.

And it rejected claims that shopkeepers faced excessive costs in reorganising their premises to comply with the ban.

The committee also gave its support to a ban on cigarette vending machines and a national register of tobacco retailers.

The committee convener, SNP MSP Christine Grahame, said: "The majority of our committee believe that cigarettes at the point of sale represent an advertisement and a ban on these displays would have a particularly positive effect in deterring teenagers.

"Most members also believe that cigarette vending machines should be banned, bringing them into line with other age-restricted products like alcohol."