Cigarette Sales from Vending Machines Banned
12 Oct 2011
Cigarette Sales from Vending Machines Banned
From 1 October 2011, the sale of tobacco from vending machines is prohibited across England. The ban has been introduced to prevent under-age sales to children and to support adults who are trying to quit.
Nearly all adult smokers started smoking before they turned 18 and every year more than 300,000 under-16s try smoking for the first time. Of the 11 to 15-year olds who smoke regularly, 11% say they buy their cigarettes from vending machines.
It is estimated that 35 million cigarettes are sold illegally through vending machines to children every year.