Tobacco displays to be banned in shops
Behind the counter racks of tobacco products will soon be snuffed out after the government announced plans to remove cigarettes from public sight and mulls plans to substitute packaging for plain copies.
The changes will be phased in with large stores initially being forced to comply with the new regulations by April 2012 with smaller shops expected to comply by April 2015.
A public consultation will also be initiated into whether the UK ought to become the first European nation to introduce plain, unbranded packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley justified his support for the measure by saying“My ambition is to reduce smoking rates faster over the next five years than has been achieved in the past five years.
The new rules wont amount to a complete ban however, shopkeepers will retain the right to house temporary displays in “limited circumstances” including periods of stock taking and maintenance work.
Only England is affected by these rules although Scotland and Northern Ireland have stated that they intend to adopt similar measures.
Debroah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, said: “We are delighted that this government is putting us on track to be the first European country to put tobacco in plain packs. This is an essential next step in protecting young people from the insidious marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.”
Critics argue however that the plan would hit retail sales, boost illegal sales and aid counterfeiters.
A display ban was originally planned by the previous Labour administration for implementation from 2013.