The protection of future generations from the devastating health effects of smoking is the main aim of legislation published by the Scottish Government in February 2009.
Among the measures included in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill are:
- Banning cigarette vending machines
- Banning tobacco displays in shops
- Introducing a registration scheme for retailers
- Giving trading standards officers powers to issue fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under 18s
- Banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes if they continually break the law.
The bill will also close a legal loophole which would allow commercial companies to operate GP surgeries.