Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill is passed at Stage 3, 27/01/10 [S]

During the meeting of the Scottish Parliament on 27 January 2010 MSPS passed the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3.

The Bill will ban tobacco displays in shops and tobacco vending machines, measures intended to make smoking less apealing to children and young people.

The Bill also includes a registration scheme for tobacco retailers; fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under 18s; and banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes if they continually flout the law. It is an offense to buy cigarettes for an under 18 and for under 18s to buy cigarettes.

The Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison, said:

"I'm pleased that MSPs have today backed this bill which will prevent some of today's children from becoming tomorrow's smokers. Too many Scots' lives have already been prematurely lost to smoking-related diseases. I'm determined to do all I can to cut this death toll."

The display ban will come into force for large retailers in 2011 while small retailers will have until 2013 to implement the measures.

For full details see the Scottish Parliament Official Report 27 January 2010 which is available from the Scottish Parliament website.

Further Information

Scottish Parliament Official Report 27 January 2010
End of the road for tobacco displays
Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill

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