Ban on tobacco display delayed

The Scottish Government has had to delay bringing in a ban on tobacco displays in large stores.

Legislation passed by Holyrood stated big shops would be prohibited from displaying tobacco and cigarettes in April this year.

However, ministers have now had to defer that and will announce a new date when the ban will come in force.

Public health minister Michael Matheson explained a “prudent” decision to defer the measure – aimed at preventing young people from starting smoking – had been taken because a legal challenge to the legislation by Imperial Tobacco has not yet concluded.