Final countdown to tobacco regulations

Licensees are being warned to ensure their pubs comply with the new point-of-sale regulations on tobacco, which come into effect next week.

From December 21, the only point-of-sale material allowed per outlet is one A5-sized advertisement (or a number of ads totalling A5), 30% of which must be a health warning.

The regulations will also apply to both cigar bars and cigarette vending machines. Pubs will also have to throw out all tobacco-branded beer towels, ashtrays and beermats.

Tobacco giant Gallaher has put together the following advice for pubs to ensure they stay on the right side of the law:

• Vending Machines​

For vending machines, compliant vending decals and panels have been produced and are currently being distributed to operators across the UK. From 21st December, there can only be one branded vending decal on each machine for each brand stocked.

For instance, if a machine only vends Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut and Camel, there can be three branded decals - one for each brand. The decal may be a picture of a pack and no larger than pack-size. If there is a second facing of a brand in the machine, a second picture of the pack is not allowed - this decal must be in plain black and white type with no logo. All decals must contain a 30% health warning.

Hamlet Cigar Bars​

Gallaher Cigar Bars now come with three new compliant fascias for the Wave Cigar Bar and for outlets with an older model, there's an easy-to-use sticker kit - simply applying the stickers to the old model will make it fully compliant.

For further advice, contact the Gallaher Customer Careline on 0800 163503 or visit the trade web site at www.gallaher.co.uk.