Remote control option to limit cig vending machine sales

By James Wilmore

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Cigarette Tobacco Government

Tough plans to clamp down on children buying cigarettes from vending machines in pubs - and a ban on cigarette displays in shops - have been unveiled...

Tough plans to clamp down on children buying cigarettes from vending machines in pubs - and a ban on cigarette displays in shops - have been unveiled by the government today.

Under the proposals being considered, licensees may have to hand out tokens to customers that have shown ID, proving they are over 18.

Other possible methods include customers being given an electronic ID card to use the vending machine, again after having proved proof of age.

Another option could mean staff using an infra-red remote control to switch on a machine to allow a smoker access to cigarettes - a system used in New Zealand.

The measures will be consulted on, but will be included in the Health Bill in the next parliamentary session.

However, the government said it will remove vending machines altogether if under-18s continue to get hold of them this way. It said that vending machines are the primary source of cigarettes for nearly one in five young people aged 11-15, compared to one in 17 adults.

Recent test purchasing found children were able to buy cigarettes from machines in more than 40 per cent of cases.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Smoking is a habit which is hard to break and causes 87,000 deaths a year in England alone.

"Protecting children from smoking is our goal."

More than 96,000 people responded to the Department of Health's consultation on tobacco control, which found overwhelming support for a ban on displays in shops and action to restrict access to vending machines.

Related topics Health & safety

Property of the week

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more