Tobacco display ban is on track
CONTROVERSIAL new laws to end the display of tobacco in Scotland’s shops passed their first parliamentary hurdle last night.
The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill would also ban cigarette vending machines and introduce a registration scheme for retailers.
Ministers claim the move was needed to tackle Scotland’s smoking-related health problems. But the Tories voted against the bill, saying there was no proven link between tobacco displays and youth smoking.
The Tobacco Retailers Alliance has also attacked the legislation.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said there could be no let up in the fight against smoking-related illness, adding: “Some 15,000 children and young people start to smoke each year in Scotland and the potential impact on their health is frightening.”
Labour’s Richard Simpson told MSPs he regularly asked schoolchildren visiting Holyrood what they see in convenience stores. He said: “They refer to three things – sweets, alcohol and tobacco.”