Ban on pub cig vending machines a step closer
A complete ban on cigarette vending machines in Scottish pubs has moved a step closer.
MSPs voted in favour of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill as it completed stage one of the parliamentary process.
The bill now returns to the Health and Sport Committee for further scrutiny before a final vote in the Parliament.
The bill's key proposals include:
• Banning tobacco displays in shops
• Banning cigarette vending machines
• Introducing a registration scheme for retailers
• Fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under-18s
• Banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes if they continually flout the law
Public Health Minister Shona Robison told MSPs that ending the display of cigarettes in shops would help reduce child smoking in future generations.
"The toll of smoking on our nation's health cannot be underestimated," she said. "For decades, too many Scots have suffered and died prematurely from smoking-related diseases.
"That's why, as part of our drive to end this misery, we are doing all we can to stop children from starting to smoke at all.
"Our decisive action will make cigarettes less attractive and less easily available to children and I am pleased that MSPs have given the bill their backing.
"Cigarettes are dangerous — they're not the type of product to be given pride of place in shops or available from self-service vending machines.
"Stopping future generations from smoking will help us make a huge leap forward in improving Scotland's health and I believe these proposals help us do just that."
Dr Laurence Gruer, NHS Health Scotland's Director of Public Health Science and chairman of the Smoking Prevention Working Group, added: "It will play an important part in helping to discourage young people from ever starting to smoke and is another step towards creating a healthier Scotland."
The bill is expected to complete its passage through the parliament by the beginning of next year.
Large retailers will then have until 2011 to implement the display ban while small retailers will have until 2013.
