Tobacco display ban – one month to go

By Staff Writer in Industry News 5th March 2015

With one month to go until the tobacco display ban comes into force for small businesses on 6 April, the Department of Health says there are a number of easy and low cost ways for retailers to make their displays compliant.

Some may get support from the tobacco industry, but if in doubt it suggests retailers contact their trade body or local authority trading standards department for advice.

The Trading Standards Institute has offered reassurance that local authority trading standards will help businesses to comply with the legislation and will be unlikely to take immediate enforcement action if a business is unaware of the legislation or if the business has made a genuine attempt to cover the display.

Public health minister Jane Ellison said: “Eye-catching displays of colourful cigarette packets can encourage young people to start smoking and undermine the resolve of adults who are trying to quit.

“Responsible retailers already play a key part in helping to protect young people from the harmful effects of smoking through effective enforcement of age of sale legislation.”

For further information and advice on the tobacco display ban, see our section on Talking Retail: Going Dark.