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Tobacco display ban plan unveiled Tobacco display ban plan unveiled
(20 minutes later)
Plans to ban the open display of cigarettes in shops have been announced by the Scottish Government.Plans to ban the open display of cigarettes in shops have been announced by the Scottish Government.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said giving them "pride of place" on shelves did not fit with the drive to tackle smoking-related illness.Public Health Minister Shona Robison said giving them "pride of place" on shelves did not fit with the drive to tackle smoking-related illness.
It is two years since Scotland led the UK in banning smoking in public places, and six months since the legal age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18.It is two years since Scotland led the UK in banning smoking in public places, and six months since the legal age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18.
Ms Robison announced a series of other measures to the Scottish Parliament.Ms Robison announced a series of other measures to the Scottish Parliament.
The plans, which also include tobacco licensing and outlawing the sale of cigarettes in packs of 10, were welcomed by anti-smoking group Ash Scotland.The plans, which also include tobacco licensing and outlawing the sale of cigarettes in packs of 10, were welcomed by anti-smoking group Ash Scotland.
Several of the proposed measures will need to be taken forward with support from the UK Government.Several of the proposed measures will need to be taken forward with support from the UK Government.
GOVERNMENT SMOKING PLAN Restrict shop display of tobacco productsTobacco licensing scheme, including fixed fines for law-breakersOutlaw sale of cigarettes in packs of 10Help councils better enforce tobacco sales lawCrackdown on smuggled and counterfeit cigarettesMove to plain packaging for cigarettesIncrease education on smoking-related risksGOVERNMENT SMOKING PLAN Restrict shop display of tobacco productsTobacco licensing scheme, including fixed fines for law-breakersOutlaw sale of cigarettes in packs of 10Help councils better enforce tobacco sales lawCrackdown on smuggled and counterfeit cigarettesMove to plain packaging for cigarettesIncrease education on smoking-related risks
Ms Robison told MSPs: "Despite tobacco advertising having being banned in 2002, there are growing concerns that prominent displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products in shops and other points of sale are undermining our wider tobacco control efforts to denormalise smoking." Ms Robison told MSPs: "Despite tobacco advertising having been banned in 2002, there are growing concerns that prominent displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products in shops and other points of sale are undermining our wider tobacco control efforts to denormalise smoking."
The minister said she recognised concern in the retail sector about banning displays, but said they were clearly being used as a promotional tool.The minister said she recognised concern in the retail sector about banning displays, but said they were clearly being used as a promotional tool.
"The protection of children and young people from the impact of tobacco must be paramount and there are instances - and this is one - when the benefits to the public health of the nation must take precedence," she said."The protection of children and young people from the impact of tobacco must be paramount and there are instances - and this is one - when the benefits to the public health of the nation must take precedence," she said.
Ash Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "At present, nearly a quarter of adults in Scotland die early from tobacco-related diseases."Ash Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "At present, nearly a quarter of adults in Scotland die early from tobacco-related diseases."
She went on: "Promotional displays in shops are one of the last bastions of tobacco marketing. Putting cigarettes out of sight will support smokers who are trying to quit and reduce the tobacco industry's influence on children."She went on: "Promotional displays in shops are one of the last bastions of tobacco marketing. Putting cigarettes out of sight will support smokers who are trying to quit and reduce the tobacco industry's influence on children."
NHS public health director Laurence Gruer said the action plan was the right package of "tough but sensible" measures to tackle smoking addiction.NHS public health director Laurence Gruer said the action plan was the right package of "tough but sensible" measures to tackle smoking addiction.