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Calling time on tobacco displays
16/03/2009
Small retailers will be given an extra two years to implement the ban on displaying tobacco products at point of sale.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison told the National Federation of Retail Newsagents conference in Cumbernauld that the move is desgined to minimise any impact on their business.
Introducing a ban on cigarette displays was one of the key proposals in the recently published Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.
Ms Robison said:
"We all know about the enormous health risks associated with smoking - someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die of cancer than someone who starts in their mid-20s.
"Point of sale marketing is a powerful tool - particularly among young people. I believe it's inappropriate for cigarettes to be promoted in this way and our bill proposes banning their display at point of sale.
"My aspiration is for Scotland to become smoke-free, but I also want it to be prosperous. That's why, following liaison with retailers, we have taken steps to minimise the impact of the display ban by giving small retailers an extra two years to implement the measures."
The bill is expected to complete its passage through the Scottish Parliament by the end of this year. Large retailers will then have until 2011 to implement the display ban while small retailers will have until 2013.
Other measures designed to help retailers as part of the bill include:
A national tobacco sales register which involves minimal bureaucracy and no cost to retailers
Creating a new offence - with a maximum penalty of 20,000 pounds or six months in prison - for people selling tobacco illegally, helping to protect legitmate retailers
Scotland's Smoking Prevention Action Plan, published last May, outlined a range of measures designed to reduce smoking rates in Scotland.