Small Shops Need To Cover Tobacco Products From Today

6th April 2015

The display of such goods has been illegal in large stores and supermarkets since 2012 in England and Wales and 29th April 2013 in Scotland.

Now small stores, and other outlets such as pubs and clubs, will also have to keep cigarettes out of sight.

Since the ban on tobacco advertising in the UK in 2003, tobacco companies have become increasingly reliant on displays at the point of sale to draw attention to their products and stimulate sales. Evidence shows that children are more likely to smoke if they are exposed to in-store tobacco marketing.

The Health Act 2009 was introduced following a widespread consultation on the future of tobacco control that received over 100,000 (mostly positive) responses. The Act included measures prohibiting the display of tobacco products at the point of sale in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Coalition Government formed in 2010 confirmed that it would implement the legislation in England from April 2012 in large stores and April 2015 in all other stores.

Since 6 April 2012 it has been illegal to display tobacco products at the point of sale in large stores, such as supermarkets. A large store is a store with a relevant floor area exceeding 280 square meters and is based on the definition in the Sunday Trading Act 1994.

It is estimated that each year in the UK more than 200,000 children aged 1 1-15 start smoking and that about two-thirds take up smoking before the age of 18. The younger a person starts smoking the greater the risk of getting lung cancer and other smoking related diseases. Because nicotine is so addictive, only around half of all smokers manage to stop smoking before they die.

From today, 6 April 2015 all stores and premises no matter what size will have to cover all tobacco products. Small stores were give extra time to prepare for the changes. That time has now expired and everyone must now comply.

Penalties For Breaking the Laws On Tobacco -

If you sell tobacco products or cigarette papers to a person under the age of 18 the maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of £2,500.

If you sell cigarettes to any person, other than in prepacked quantities of 10 or more in their original package, the maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of £1,000.

If you fail to display the required tobacco notice the maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of £1,000.

If you break a restricted premises order or a restricted sales order the maximum penalty on conviction is an unlimited fine.

If you sell tobacco from a vending machine the maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of £2,500.

If you display tobacco products, or cause tobacco products to be displayed, the maximum penalty on conviction is two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

If you display prices of tobacco products, or cause them to be displayed, the maximum penalty on conviction is two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

If you supply any cigarette lighter refill canister containing butane to any person under the age of 18 the maximum penalty on conviction is six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

If tobacco products are not covered from 1 April 2015 a fine of up to £5000 and or 6 months in prison.

See more information in a government leaflet at -
http://broadcast.tradingstandards.gov.uk/docimages/122630/Display%20and%20sale%20of%20tobacco%20products_E_DH_QandA_MAR15.pdf