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Cigarette machines may be banned Cigarette machines may be banned
(10 minutes later)
Cigarette vending machines and packets of 10 could be outlawed under government plans aimed at preventing children and young people smoking.Cigarette vending machines and packets of 10 could be outlawed under government plans aimed at preventing children and young people smoking.
The proposals apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar plans have been unveiled in Scotland. The plans, which include banning branding and logos, apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar plans have been unveiled in Scotland.
Simon Clark, of smokers' lobby group Forest, said there was "no evidence" to show the changes suggested were likely to reduce smoking among young people. Smokers' lobby group Forest said there was "no evidence" to show the plans would to cut smoking in young people.
Meanwhile, a new TV advert campaign is targeting parents who smoke.Meanwhile, a new TV advert campaign is targeting parents who smoke.
The adverts warn that children of smokers are three times more likely to take up the habit than those of non-smokers.The adverts warn that children of smokers are three times more likely to take up the habit than those of non-smokers.
HAVE YOUR SAYI will not support a government that suggests that packaging is the reason why people smokeDavid Craven, OxfordSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI will not support a government that suggests that packaging is the reason why people smokeDavid Craven, OxfordSend us your comments
The Department of Health says point-of-sale advertising can encourage young people to start smoking, so it is suggesting putting cigarettes below the counter in future.The Department of Health says point-of-sale advertising can encourage young people to start smoking, so it is suggesting putting cigarettes below the counter in future.
It also suggests the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, carrying only the product name in standard lettering.It also suggests the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, carrying only the product name in standard lettering.
Other ideas being mooted in the paper, which will go out for a three-month consultation, include a ban on advertising for "smoking paraphernalia" such as cigarette papers. Other ideas being mooted in the plans, which will go out for a three-month consultation, include a ban on advertising for "smoking paraphernalia" such as cigarette papers.
Pack sizes could also be restricted to a minimum of 20.Pack sizes could also be restricted to a minimum of 20.
The consultation paper will be published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies in its entirety to England, and certain sections - including that on smoking and young people - apply to Wales and Northern Ireland.The consultation paper will be published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies in its entirety to England, and certain sections - including that on smoking and young people - apply to Wales and Northern Ireland.
Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this Dawn PrimaroloPublic Health MinisterProtecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this Dawn PrimaroloPublic Health Minister
Last week the Scottish Government announced a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales in Scotland - including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in "pride of place" on their shelves.Last week the Scottish Government announced a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales in Scotland - including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in "pride of place" on their shelves.
On the latest consultation document, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.On the latest consultation document, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.
"Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this," she said."If banning brightly coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone's views first." "Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this," she said. "If banning brightly coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone's views first."
Martin Dockrell, from the anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "These sorts of measures are not going to have an overnight effect, but we think they will over time."Martin Dockrell, from the anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "These sorts of measures are not going to have an overnight effect, but we think they will over time."
A YouGov poll commissioned by Ash of 3,330 people found that 65% supported a complete ban on cigarette vending machines, while 43% favoured the introduction of plain packaging.A YouGov poll commissioned by Ash of 3,330 people found that 65% supported a complete ban on cigarette vending machines, while 43% favoured the introduction of plain packaging.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, from the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said: "It is essential that cigarettes are made more inaccessible to children.Dr Vivienne Nathanson, from the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said: "It is essential that cigarettes are made more inaccessible to children.
"We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow's parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health and premature death.""We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow's parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health and premature death."
Vending machines 'Still affordable'
But pro-smoking organisation Forest warned that banning point-of-sale display could make smoking even more attractive to teenagers, and could increase the appeal of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes. But smokers' lobby group Forest warned that banning point-of-sale display could make smoking even more attractive to teenagers, and could increase the appeal of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes.
Spokesman Neil Rafferty said: "In one Canadian province, youth smoking actually went up in the first 18 months after a display ban was introduced.Spokesman Neil Rafferty said: "In one Canadian province, youth smoking actually went up in the first 18 months after a display ban was introduced.
"As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them.""As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them."
And he criticised plans to ban packs of 10, arguing that children could still afford packs of 20.And he criticised plans to ban packs of 10, arguing that children could still afford packs of 20.