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Tobacco shop display ban now in force

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By John Glenday, Reporter

April 6, 2012 | 1 min read

A ban on the display of all tobacco products in England has come into force today, although only supermarkets and shops larger than 280sq/m will have to immediately comply with the edict, smaller stores have until 2015 to change their displays.

The new rules dictate that all tobacco products be sold under the counter; in order to reduce incidences of smoking amongst the general population.

Public health minister Anne Milton said: “We cannot ignore the fact that young people are recruited into smoking by colourful, eye-catching, cigarette displays.

"Most adult smokers started smoking as teenagers and we need to stop this trend."

The tobacco industry has reacted angrily to the plan however, with a spokesman for British American Tobacco stating: "We do not believe that hiding products under the counter or behind curtains or screens will discourage people, including the young, from taking up smoking.

"There's no sound evidence to prove display bans are justified."

Other areas of the UK are likely to follow England’s lead with a ban on packaging to be debated later in the year.

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