Tobacco display ban comes into force in England

A ban on tobacco displays in large shops and supermarkets came into force in England on Friday, meaning such stores must hide cigarettes from public view.

Under the new rules, all tobacco products must be kept out of sight except when staff are serving customers or restocking.

The display ban applies to shops covering more than 280 square metres. Those in breach of the law could face a fine up to $7,930 or even imprisonment. Smaller stores are exempt from the ban until 2015.

“We cannot ignore the fact that young people are recruited into smoking by colourful, eye-catching, cigarette displays,” health minister Anne Milton said.

“Most adult smokers started smoking as teenagers and we need to stop this trend.

“Banning displays of cigarettes and tobacco will help young people resist the pressure to start smoking and help the thousands of adults in England who are currently trying to quit.”

It is illegal to sell tobacco in Britain to anyone under the age of 18, though different parts of the U.K. have their own legislation regarding smoking.

Smoking in enclosed public places was banned in England in July 2007.

The government is consulting on introducing plain packaging for packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products.