Cigarette machines may be banned

Pubs may soon be forced to remove cigarette vending machines as MPs agreed to have them outlawed last night.

MPs supported an amendment to have the machines outlawed as part of the Health Bill.

Former Labour Minister Ian McCartney proposed the vending machine ban.

His proposal must now return to the House of Lords for approval before being passed into law.

McCartney backed a British Heart Foundation (BHF) campaign to ban the vending machines after watching a new film which showed how easy it was for children to buy cigarettes.

He said: "We don't allow alcohol, fireworks, knives or other age restricted products to be sold from vending machines. These are only sold where there is a face to face transaction over the counter. We need to tackle this anomaly which allows children to get hold of cigarettes."

The House of Commons approved the vending machine ban yesterday evening, without going to vote.

Health campaigners welcomed the ban — Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Stopping tobacco sales from vending machines has made a strong Bill even stronger," she said. "We wouldn't tolerate other age restricted products such as alcohol or knives being sold in this way. This prohibition means that a lethal and addictive product will no longer be easily accessible to children."

But a spokesman for Imperial Tobacco said it was: "surprising and hugely disappointing that Parliament has opted for a total ban of cigarette vending machines."

Amal Pramanik, general manager of Imperial Tobacco UK said: "This decision represents a betrayal of those in the vending sector who have worked hard to develop an acceptable solution. Banning vending is a disproportionate response to a diminishing problem and now threatens the livelihoods of all whose jobs depend on the vending sector for no discernible purpose.

"I sincerely hope the House of Lords will see sense and reverse this decision."

MPs also voted to ban cigarettes displays in shops.