Recently Wigan government passed a new ban on the sale of smoking products from vending machines to any person. The new law that will took effect on October, 1 2011 will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to the public from cigarette vending machines placed in pubs, bars cafes, hotels, nightclubs and other establishments. It will also become illicit to display any advertisement of cigarettes on vending machines. Anti-smoking officials who stand in favor of the ban declare that the given law will greatly affect the restriction of availability of smoking products to youngsters.

A survey realized by the Wigan Trading Standards asked a 16 year old volunteer to buy cigarettes from vending machines. As a result he was able to purchase cigarettes from about 90% of the vending machines. “I am supporting this law, because I believe that it will help us to make a significant step toward protecting our youngsters from the dangerous effects and unpleasant consequences of tobacco smoke,” stated Dr. Kate Ardern, Executive Director of Public Health in Wigan Borough.

Councillor Paul Prescott also states: “I complete approve this ban because I am sure that it will fully prohibit the availability of cigarette products to teenagers. Adult people use vending machines not so often, because they are expensive and given that less than 1 % of sales are from machines, the economic impact will be insignificant”. However the health improvements will be evident. “Unfortunately those teens who are greatly hooked on this habit will in any way find a way to reach cigarettes, be it friend, family member or retailer. I think that the given situation also depends on parents, because they should be aware and active in their support and have to do everything in their power in order to tackle these challenges.”

The given ban comes after a largest campaign by machine provider, Sinclair Collis, a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco, which stood against the provision of regulations under the Health Act 2009 to prohibit tobacco vending machines. But the company was prompted to stop its campaign after the Court of Appeal rejected the case.

From Monday, the owner or manager of any establishment who sell cigarette from a vending machine commits a criminal offence and could be face a charge of £2,500. At present 22 countries in Europe prohibit or have never permitted sales from vending machines of tobacco; and the ban across England will approach us to the major European nations.

Wigan Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, Julie Middlehurst, declares: “Commercial standards will continue to work closely with local business owners who want to correspond to the law and will strongly persecute those who are found to be selling smoking products to under aged.”

By Clark Moore, Staff Writer Copyright © 2011 Hot-Cigs.com All rights reserved.