Scotland - parliament votes to ban retail cigarette displays and vending machines..

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January 29, 2010 - An end to the display of cigarettes and tobacco products in shops was approved by the Scottish parliament yesterday, along with a ban on cigarette sales from vending machines.

The display ban will come into force for large retailers next year, while small retailers will have until 2013 to implement the ban. Similar measures for England and Wales were passed by MPs recently. (Across the UK - a ban on cigarette vending machines is set to begin 2011..) Northern Ireland - assembly approves ban on display of tobacco items..

Shona Robison, public health minister, said it was vital to reduce smoking rates if Scotland was to turn round its appalling health record.

"We've already made great strides - notably by banning smoking in public places (went into effect March 26, 2007) and raising the age for buying cigarettes to 18," she said. "This bill goes further by introducing measures designed to stop children from starting to smoke in the first place."

Reference: Scotland bans cigarette displays by Andrew Bolger, FT.com (Financial Times), 1/28/2010; Scottish tobacco display ban laws approved by MSPs - VIDEO, BBC News, 1/27/2010.

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Scotland - some men beginning to lead a healthier lifestyle and therefore living longer..;
Scotland - self-reporting of smoking by pregnant women underestimates true number of pregnant smokers..;
Scotland - tobacco firms claim proposed display ban is unnecessary..;
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Scotland - cigarette vending machines removal..;
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Scotland - small businesses given extra 2-years to remove tobacco displays..;
Northern Ireland - assembly approves ban on display of tobacco items..;
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