Mary "Delighted" at Tobacco Vending Machine Ban

Mary is delighted at the decision of MPs to ban cigarette vending machines.  An amendment to the Health Bill was passed with no opposition in the House of Commons on Monday 12th October.  The Bill has now completed its passage through the House of Commons and will go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before becoming law.   

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said: “As a Whip in the Department of Health, I am delighted that we have decided to ban the display of cigarettes in shops and cigarette vending machines.  12 in every 100 children who regularly smoke buy cigarettes through vending machines in England and Wales.  Only 1 in 20 adult smokers use vending machines and then only on an occasional basis.  These changes will reduce underage smoking and also help existing smokers to quit more easily. Just like the smoking ban, this will be a significant step forward in improving our nation’s public health.”  

As the Bill currently stands the effect of the legislation would not come into force until 2011 for large retailers and 2013 for smaller shops.