UK government announces tobacco display ban; duty free sector pushes for exemption

UK. The duty free sector is pushing for an exemption from the ban on the open display of tobacco in England and Wales announced today by the government.

---

The government hopes that the ban, which is also being evaluated in Scotland, will reduce smoking. Northern Ireland is yet to decide on any new policy. The announcement follows a Consultation Report on the future of tobacco control published earlier this year. That report invited responses from interested parties. The Department of Health today published those responses, which included submissions from a number of airports, retailers and travel retail lobby groups. No exemptions from the ban have yet been announced but it is likely there will be some – specialist downtown cigar and tobacco retailers, for example. The government said it will consult with retailers and industry before drafting its legislation and said it would allow "ample" lead-in time before any new law is passed. More...

---