From the Daily Mail Australia 3 October 2011
Source
Stubbed out: Cigarette vending machines in pubs outlawed to stop underage smokingBy Richard Hartley-parkinson
Cigarette vending machines have been banished from pubs as a new rule came into force at the weekend to stop underage smoking.
From Saturday it will become illegal to sell tobacco in public areas of pubs, clubs and restaurants with those who break the rules facing £2,500 fines.
Although vending machines account for less than one per cent of sales, 11 to 15 year olds are more likely to buy tobacco from them than the population as a whole.
The British Heart Foundation estimates that more than 46,000 children in that age group buy from them.
Sinclair Collis, which is based in Wolverhampton and owns 20,000 machines, fought to prevent the ban saying the move would wipe out a £400million industry and cost 550 jobs.
The company argued that the Department of Health action went against EU free trade rules and the company's right to use its property.
The DoH brought the rule in to prevent young people from getting hold of cigarettes and deter others from smoking.
It said that the government had failed to look at other options such as the use of technology to enforce age restrictions.
Pubs will still be able to sell cigarettes but they will have to buy them from over the counter so that the seller can verify the buyer is over 18.
The ban on vending machines was approved in 2009 with health campaigners saying it was a 'brave move' by the government.
Former Labour minister Ian McCartney proposed the ban saying they were an 'outrageous loophole in our country's safeguards' against tobacco.
The then health minister, Gillian Merron, said she hoped the ban would deter young people from picking up the habit.
She said: 'The tobacco industry constantly recruits young people to replace those who give up smoking or die each year.
'We are of course aware of how the current economic climate is affecting small business which is why we will not commence the effect of this legislation until 2011 for larger stores and 2013 for smaller shops.
Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: 'Consigning vending machines to the scrapheap will cut off an easy supply of cigarettes to children.
'This policy must be carried out across the UK as soon as possible.'
