Cigarette machine ban gets backing

A SWANSEA AM is backing a ban on cigarette machines. Julie James is reminding businesses in Swansea that a new law is introduced this week which bans the sale of cigarettes from vending machines. From tomorrow it will be illegal. In addition, while the machines can remain on site, all tobacco advertisements on them need to be removed or covered up so that they are no longer visible.

Mrs James said: "Banning the sale of cigarettes via vending machines will go a long way to safeguarding under 18s from becoming addicted to smoking. "It has become an easy way for youngsters to get hold of cigarettes especially where machines are unsupervised in pubs and other businesses." Local trading standards officers will be enforcing the ban in Wales. If a business is found to be selling cigarettes to the public directly from a vending machine, it could be fined up to £2,500.

If any vending machine still displays tobacco advertising, the business could be fined up to £5,000 and the owner could face up to two years in prison. Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: "Making cigarettes less accessible is one way of discouraging children from taking up smoking in the first place. It will also support the efforts of the many adults in Wales who try to quit smoking each year."