Tobacco displays are “attractive to children”

Tobacco displays in shops are “cool, fun and attractive” to children and are likely to encourage them to smoke, the authors of a new study, published in the Health Promotion Practice journal, have argued.

The finding comes at a time when health campaigners are urging the government not to reverse a ban on cigarette displays in shops, and cigarette vending machines. The ban was featured in the Labour government’s 2009 Health Act, but last month, members of the new coalition government suggested that there would be an about-turn on the proposals. Health minister, Anne Milton, said that “there would not be an extension” to the existing smoking ban in Britain. Conservative MPs have argued that it would not be wise to disrupt tobacco profits during the recession.

Anti-smoking campaigners are dismayed by the move, which they say will threaten children’s health. Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said: "tobacco advertising must be removed from the lives of young people.”

“We urge the Government to confirm their commitment to protect our children, now and in the future, from tobacco.”

Cancer Research have just released the results of a survey, in which three quarters of people said they would support a ban on tobacco advertising in shops and cigarette vending machines. The organisation has stated that the Health Act could save lives.

Every year around 340,000 new young people try smoking. Some of these will develop a habit for life that will eventually cause them health problems, including impotence, infertility and cancer. Smoking is the number one cause of cancer in the UK.

Studies have shown that most long-term smokers pick up the habit when they are young. If their parents smoke, this will increase the likelihood that they will also adopt the habit.