Diane Abbott pushes cigarette machine ban

Labour MP Diane Abbott is calling for the Coalition to "go ahead with Labour's ban on cigarette vending machines and point of sales".

This follows a study funded by Cancer Research which found that placing cigarette machines out of sight changes young peoples attitudes to smoking and does not harm business.

The research by the University of Nottingham found that the number of teenagers who recalled tobacco displays dropped from 81% to 22%, after 1 July 2009 when the displays were removed in the Republic of Ireland.

A second study found "there was no significant change in sales" when machines were removed.

Abbott said: "It is about time the Coalition put these measures into play instead of wringing their hands over the effect it might have on multi-million pound tobacco companies.

"This is a matter of public health, and the government should not be pandering to big businesses."

The British Beer and Pub Association added: "We always felt that a ban was unnecessary.

"Publicans are well used to selling a product restricted by age, and don't need further restrictions.

"Vending machines are perfectly legal, well supervised, and governed by a tough code, and it's really about pubs providing convenience for customers."