LONDON – Cigarettes and other tobacco products can longer be
displayed in stores in Scotland, the BBC reports.
Under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland)
Act 2010, the sale of cigarettes from vending machines is also banned. Stores
found to be non-compliant face criminal conviction or a monetary fine.
Similar bans in large stores have already been implemented
in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
The ban was enacted in an effort to decrease the country’s
smoking rate, especially among youths.
"These bans are the right step to prevent young people
in Scotland from taking up smoking,” said Public Health Minister Michael
Matheson. "Each year, tobacco use is associated with over 13,000 deaths
and 56,000 hospital admissions in Scotland.
"That is why it is so important that this government
works to improve health by reducing the number of people who choose to smoke
and evidence shows that young people exposed to the promotion of tobacco are
more likely to try smoking."
The Tobacco Retailers' Alliance (TRA) - which represents
more than 26,000 stores across the U.K. — and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation
have opposed the legislation.
"We think it's unnecessary. We don't believe that
displays of cigarettes behind the counter actually influences anyone to buy
cigarettes,” said John Hammond, a Federation spokesperson. "There is no
doubt that smoking can be harmful but it's a legal practice.
"We stock it, sell it, and will continue to do
so."
Large shops in Scotland are defined as those with a floor
area exceeding 280 square meters (3,014 square feet). Smaller stores have until
April 6, 2015, to comply with the ban.