ACS

The final committee stage of the Tobacco and Primary Services Bill (Scotland) took place today, progressing potential legislation that would introduce a tobacco display ban along with tobacco proxy purchasing laws.

At present, in both England and Scotland it is not a criminal offence to buy tobacco products for minors. The Bill aims to establish Scottish laws on tobacco proxy purchasing that are more in line with those already in place for alcohol.

The Bill also seeks to introduce the following:

• A registration scheme for retailers
• Fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under 18s
• Banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes if they continually flout the law

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Much of this Bill is extremely damaging to retailers. However, the focus on proxy purchasing is something that we have been lobbying the UK Government to follow suit on and introduce tobacco proxy purchasing laws in England. We will be working closely with the Scottish Grocers Federation on this matter, ensuring that retailers are fully up to date with any progression on the Bill."

The Bill will now be put forward to the Scottish parliament for two weeks, furthering a final vote likely to take place early next year.