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Department of Health

Cigarette vending machines banned in England

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

October 1, 2011 | 1 min read

Tobacco vending machines are to be banned in England as part of the government’s latest clampdown on the habit.

Intended to make smoking more difficult and eliminate under age sales by reducing supply the measure has been brought by the Department of Health, which will impose a £2,500 fine on any retailer contravening the order.

Charities, including Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation are backing the move, pointing out that 35m cigarettes are illegally sold to children each year via the machines.

Pub landlords however believe the move represents a further threat to their incomes. Machines will still be allowed behind the bar but all tobacco advertising on the machines must be removed – or the owner could face a six month prison sentence.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The ban on cigarette sales from vending machines will protect children by making cigarettes less accessible to them - we want to do everything we can to encourage young people not to start smoking in the first place.”

The remainder of the UK will follow England later in the year.

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