New Law Stubs Out Cigarette Vending Machines
Licensed premises are being warned to act immediately to comply with new regulations which ban tobacco products being sold from automatic vending machines.
Langleys are advising all licensed premises that any cigarette vending machines will need to be removed immediately, or businesses could face fines. In addition the display on vending machines of tobacco advertisements or pictures of tobacco products is now also prohibited.
The Protection from Tobacco (Sales from Vending Machines) (England) Regulations 2010 form part of the Government initiative to reduce children and young people's access to tobacco.
Sarah Valentine, Head of Langleys Licensing Group said "Not all licensed premises will be aware that it is now illegal to continue to have cigarette vending machines on their premises.
If a licensed premises fails to remove any automatic vending machine by 30 September 2011 the Premises Licence Holder, Designated Premises Supervisor and owner, will be liable for any breach under these Regulations. This is a criminal offence subject to a maximum fine of £2,500 or if there are any tobacco advertisements on these automatic vending machines the offence will be subject to a maximum fine of £5,000.
On this basis from the 1 October 2011 licensed premises will need to prepare and consider diversification and adaptation in respect of the sale of cigarettes to their customers."
For further details about these regulations contact Sarah Valentine on 01904 683053 or send her an
email.