UK set to ban cigarette machines

Cigarette vending machines could soon be a thing of the past in the UK after MPs agreed to ban them.

The British House of Lords will now consider whether there should be an outright ban on the machines, after an amendment to the Health Bill by Labour’s Ian McCartney was passed by the Commons last night.

MPs also voted to bar the display of cigarettes in shops, despite strong opposition to the British government’s proposals from the opposition Conservative Party.

Former Cabinet minister Mr McCartney said the approval of his vending machines ban proposal “was going to change history”.

Condemning the devices as an “outrageous loophole in our country’s safeguards” to prevent thousands of children suffering illness and premature death, he protested that tobacco was still “the only product in Britain that can be sold legally, which routinely kills and injures its customers”.

Mr McCartney’s amendment was passed without a vote and Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the British government would not oppose the measure in the Lords.

“We appreciate that by withdrawing certain amendments the remaining amendments that have been voted through today go over to the other place in a well-drafted and legally workable form,” he said.

“I will watch with interest how his proposals are received in another place but the Government will not seek to overturn them but, respecting this House, will consider how best to put its will into effect.”

Anti-smoking campaigners welcomed the move.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “Stopping tobacco sales from vending machines has made a strong bill even stronger.

“We wouldn’t tolerate other age-restricted products such as alcohol or knives being sold in this way.

“This prohibition means that a lethal and addictive product will no longer be easily accessible to children.”

The Conservatives expressed concern about proposals for a ban on the display of cigarettes, particularly during the recession when shops could suffer from a lack of business.

Tory Philip Davies said: “As someone who was a retailer for 12 years before entering Parliament, can I tell you that tobacco is not an impulse purchase in the same way that cream cakes are.”

His party’s bid to allow shops to continue displaying cigarettes was defeated by 288 votes to 180, government majority 108.

Before last night’s vote, thousands of newsagents threatened to boycott the Labour Party at the general election if the display legislation was passed.

They said the move would drive hundreds of small retailers out of business.

But Health Minister Gillian Merron said: “Today’s children might be tomorrow’s smokers – these new plans will help to ensure that make sure they are not.

“Protecting young people from a lifetime of addiction and possible death from smoking-related diseases is crucial as is supporting smokers who want to quit.

“It is heartening to know that MPs agree on this.”

Suleman Khonat, national president of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), said: “We are very disappointed that tobacco displays are scheduled to be removed from 2013 in small stores.

“Independent newsagents truly support the Department of Health’s efforts in reducing smoking overall but this legislation has been ill thought-out and will be ineffective.”

He added: “The NFRN has always believed that there were other, more effective, actions that the government could take to stop youngsters smoking, such as making proxy purchasing of cigarettes by adults for children illegal, making it illegal for children to purchase cigarettes in shops, and for greater action to be taken against tobacco smugglers who have no concerns about selling tobacco to minors.”

More than 18,000 independent news and convenience retailers are members of the NFRN.