News: Ban on sale of tobacco from vending machines in Wales: effective 1 Feb 2012
- Date: 12/01/2012
- Source: Poppleston Allen
- Author/Solicitor: Andy Grimsey
The Welsh Government ban on the sale of tobacco from vending machines in Wales, which was approved last year, will come into force on 1 February 2012. Breach of the ban could lead to prosecution and a fine of £2,500.
The responsibility for ensuring the prohibition falls to "the person who controls or who is concerned with the management of the premises where the automatic machine is located". In the case of the licensed premises this could be the premises licence holder or the designated premises supervisor. Although it will no longer be possible to situate cigarette vending machines in public areas of your premises, it will still be possible to sell tobacco products from behind the bar.
The government estimates there are roughly 3,000 cigarette vending machines in Wales.
The Protection from Tobacco (Sales from Vending Machines) (Wales) Regulations 2011 are primarily designed to protect children and young people by restricting access to tobacco. Tobacco vending machines account for only one per cent of the UK market in tobacco sales, yet a disproportionate number of young people, 10 % of regular smokers aged 11 to 15, report that cigarette vending machines are their usual source of tobacco.
Guidance for Businesses and Trading Standard Officers has been produced to explain the requirements of the law. The aim is to help owners and managers of premises where tobacco vending machines are located, and also the regulatory officers who will enforce the law. The guidance also offers some practical advice about machines.
The ban came into force in England on 1 October 2011.
A link to the Guidance is provided below:
Guidance: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/phhs/publications/111021vendingmachineen.pdf
For more information please contact Andy Grimsey
