Traders warned: Don’t sell menthol cigarettes
LANCASHIRE businesses have been reminded that a law banning the sale of menthol cigarettes came into effect on May 20.
Selling menthol flavoured cigarettes and tobacco products is now illegal under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
The Government introduced the ban after research in several countries revealed that flavoured tobacco products were preferred by children and adolescents, as well as by experimenting smokers.
In Lancashire, the ban is being enforced by the county council’s trading standards team.
County Cllr Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management, said: “Shopkeepers, supermarkets and other retailers have taken all menthol tobacco products off sale by the close of business on May 19.
“Removing these menthol flavoured tobacco products from the marketplace is crucial, given the clear evidence that this flavour increases the attractiveness of tobacco products to our children.
“If anyone sees menthol cigarettes for sale, they should contact our trading standards team, which is enforcing the ban.”
For further advice and to contact Lancashire County Council’s trading standards team, call the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Most other cigarette and tobacco product flavours have been banned for several years, but the Government allowed four years’ exemption for menthol cigarettes and tobacco products.