Public support for cigarette vending machine ban

Three quarters of the British public have backed the proposed ban on cigarette vending machines in pubs, due to start in October next year.

A survey of 1,106 adults commissioned by Cancer Research UK found that 77% of respondents wanted a ban on the vending machines and 73% supported a removal of tobacco displays in shops.

The survey is seen as a way to keep up pressure on the new Government to push through the ban, amid reports that the new administration is examining whether to do so.

Cancer Research director of tobacco control Jean King said: "The public is clearly supportive of putting tobacco out of sight. The evidence is compelling and the legislation is in place. This legislation will save lives if it is enacted."

However, Robert Feal-Martinez, licensee of the Carpenters Arms in South Marston, Wiltshire, wasn't convinced by the figures.

"The Cancer Research poll would be slanted," he said. "It doesn't represent the views of the many people that I speak to."

He said that Freedom2Choose, for which he used to be spokesman, conducted an independent survey​ of under-25s across four university towns in March, which found that 97.9% of respondents wanted an amendment to the smoking ban to allow smoking in some pubs and clubs.

Feal-Martinez added that removing cigarette vending machines and tobacco displays in shops would not reduce the number of smokers in the UK.