Freedom2Choose (Scotland) supports Vending Machine Operators’ bid to save their industry

April 2, 2009 - PRLog -- Representatives of the tobacco vending machines are today going to address MSPs in the Scottish Parliament building about the future of their industry. An outright ban on vending machines in Scotland forms part of the policy change described in the latest consultation on tobacco.

The consultation on the Smoking and Primary Medical Services Bill closes on Wednesday 8 April. Its better known provisions include the hiding of tobacco displays in shops selling tobacco, other than specialists.

However it also claims that to prevent underage smoking it is necessary to ban the sale of tobacco from vending machines.

The industry states that tobacco sales through vending machines amount to less than 1 per cent of total UK tobacco sales. Most vending machines are in adult venues. At over £6 for 16 cigarettes, the machines are not cost competitive against other sources of tobacco.

The machines are capable of being modified to allow sales by token or credit card only, as additional assurance against use by under-age smokers.

There are 14 independent and one national vending machine operators in Scotland employing over 40 staff, and over 3,500 machines. A ban on vending machine sales of tobacco will destroy these companies and livelihoods.

Freedom2Choose does not accept that vending machines present a significant source of tobacco to under-age smokers. Spokesman Eddie Douthwaite says, ‘Banning vending machines will not resolve government concerns about under-age smokers. This is not the answer, and will only destroy livelihoods and put more people out of work.’

‘Three years after the smoking ban came in we are still being told that smoking is costing 13,500 lives a year, and government is seeking further restrictions. The ban was meant to save 1,000 lives a year.’

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