14/10/2009 - MPs vote to ban cigarette machines
An ammendment to the Health Bill banning cigarette vending machines has been approved by the House of Commons.
The amendment, which was proposed by Labour's Ian McCartney and passed without a vote, is now pending with the House of Lords. Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the House of Lords would not oppose the measure.
Calling it a move that "was going to change history", former cabinet minister Mr McCartney said the approval would improve the health of thousands of children and prevent premature deaths.
The former minister condemned the machines as an "outrageous loophole in our country's safeguards" and protested that tobacco was still "the only product in Britain that can be sold legally, which routinely kills and injures its customers".
Suleman Khonat, national president of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), said: "We are very disappointed that tobacco displays are scheduled to be removed from 2013 in small stores.
"Independent newsagents truly support the Department of Health's efforts in reducing smoking overall but this legislation has been ill thought-out and will be ineffective."
Also, the Parliament voted to ban display signs depicting cigarettes in shops despite strong opposition from the Conservatives.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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