Cigarette vending machines and packets of 10 could be outlawed under government plans aimed at preventing children and young people smoking.

The plans, which include banning branding and logos, apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar plans have been unveiled in Scotland.

Smokers’ lobby group Forest said there was “no evidence” to show the plans would to cut smoking in young people.

Meanwhile, a new TV advert campaign is targeting parents who smoke.

The adverts warn that children of smokers are three times more likely to take up the habit than those of non-smokers.

Last week the Scottish Government announced a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales in Scotland - including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in “pride of place” on their shelves.

On the latest consultation document, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.

“Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this,” she said.

“If banning brightly coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone’s views first.”

Smoking ban

“As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can’t use them.”

He criticised plans to ban packs of 10, arguing that children could still afford packs of 20.

The proposals follow a series of restrictions on smoking in the UK which have come into force over the last couple of years.

The legal age for smoking was raised from 16 to 18 in October.

A ban on smoking in public places and workplaces in England came into force last July.

Bans were introduced in Scotland in 2006, and in Wales and Northern Ireland in 2007.

Source: bbc

written by Flory