Future of Tobacco Control - UK

Created on 19th of November 2008   Last Modified on the 19th of August 2010

Following the issue of a major consultation document on the future of tobacco control on 31 May 2008, one of the measures the Department of Health decided to adopt was a ban on the display of tobacco products in retail environments. The UKTRF embarked on a series of detailed discussions with the Department of Health on the implementation of the display ban. The Department accepted the UKTRF's arguments that airport duty-free shops were a unique environment, totally different from the High Street. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display) (England) Regulations 2010 were duly laid before Parliament on 2 March 2010, which permitted bulk tobacconists (cash and carry outlets and duty-free shops - defined in the Regulations as shops that do not sell cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco in small units) to have display areas for tobacco products, provided that they are not visible from outside the tobacco area. The Regulations require all bulk tobacconists to provide the specified tobacco display area by 1st October 2013. It is anticipated that similar Regulations will shortly be introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The UKTRF believes this is a pragmatic solution which recognises the unique character of airport duty-free shops, and which is consistent with the Government's health objectives.

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