Wales aligns with England on fag machine ban

Cigarette vending machines are due to be banned in Welsh pubs in October 2011, in line with England.

The Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed the date, which is subject to a consultation that closes on 6 July.

Tony Jewell, chief medical officer for Wales, said: "Removing tobacco products from public display and banning cigarette vending machines will reinforce the vitally important public health message that smoking is harmful and addictive and reduce the opportunity for young people to access these products."

John Harries, secretary of Brecon Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "Undoubtedly it will have an impact, and perhaps some pubs will just want to close up. I don't know how many more nails they can hammer into the coffin."

Last November the Department of Health announced plans to ban vending machines in English pubs on 1 October 2011. The Scottish Government is eyeing the same date for the ban.

Meanwhile, Imperial Tobacco has applied for a judicial review of the vending machine ban in England. "We continue to await the judge's decision on whether the case should proceed to a full hearing; this can take several months," said a spokesman.