Government to peform u-turn over cigarette machine ban

The law which would see a ban on cigarette and tobacco vending machines in pubs and a similar ban on tobacco displays in side of shops may be scrapped by David Cameron’s coalition government.

The legislation, which was passed by the former Labour government, was set to begin on the first day of October in 2011. Former Labour minister Ian McCartney spearheaded the ban, citing that the vending machines allow tobacco to be readily available to young children. McCartney labelled the vending machines as an “outrageous loophole in our countries’ safeguard (against tobacco)”.

As part of the ban, shops that sell tobacco would be required to keep the products out of sight of the customer instead of their usual location behind the counter.

Cigarette manufacturers have campaigned to see the law abolished and have even threatened to take the issue to court. The economic ramifications of the ban, for not just the tobacco industry, are the main factor behind its opposition.

It has been suggested that newsagents would lose an estimated £250m in sales. A report issued by the Institute of Economic Affairs went as far as to say that the ban could cause “significant economic damage and a deterioration in public health”.

It is perhaps no surprise that the law has been taken in to consideration by the new coalition government. When the legislation was originally put through McCartney experienced opposition from Tory MP Phillip Davies. Mr Davies labelled the act as “the nanny state gone mad”.

The MP for Shipley added that “it goes against the principle of individual responsibility, free choice, and people making their own choices”. Even Prime Minister David Cameron told The Publican back in 2008 “I don’t like smoking bans…I’m just not a ‘banner’”.

Many anti-smoking campaigners have already spoken out against the government. Cancer Research has publicly reiterated their belief that “removing tobacco from the point of sale is important if we are going to protect children.”