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Ban will stub out my firm overnight
BUSINESSES have hit back after MPs voted to ban cigarette vending machines in pubs and clubs.
As part of the Health Bill 2009, the machines could be removed from venues and tobacco advertising from point of sale could also be banned — if the Lords also approve the Bill.
But some pubs and the manufacturers of the machines feel the move will be a further blow for an industry already fallen on hard times.
Rod Bullough, from R Duckworth's, of Clifton Drive, Marton, said he feared for his industry.
His company supplies cigarette machines all over the country.
He said: "It's making a business operating perfectly legally into something illegal overnight.
"This ban was an amendment to the Health Bill and we were not consulted.
"There are far easier and cheaper ways for underage people to buy cigarettes if they want to than vending machines.
"I employ 30 people here in Blackpool and there are about a dozen similar companies around the country.
"They (the Government) just haven't considered the impact on the industry at all.
"Cigarette sales from vending machines only account for about 0.8 per cent of the total market."
And Tony Baynes, landlord of The Links in St Annes, said: "It just feels like we are treading water in the pub trade and they keep throwing more and more weight round our necks.
"With beer tax, the smoking ban, and now this, it just feels like they are chipping away more and more.
"Pubs are going out of business every week."
But Jane Roberts, head of tobacco control at NHS Blackpool, said the ban would make a difference to the health of Blackpool.
She said: "We believe these measures will help change the culture of smoking.
"We have been battling with the idea smoking is all about adult choice.
"This is just another step in de-normalising smoking and helping us save lives in Blackpool."
Dr Frank Atherton, lead director of public health for Lancashire, said 80 per cent of smokers started before they were 19-years-old.
He added: "This new legislation will help cut the number of young people who start smoking and will reduce the harm, the illness and the early death from smoking-related illnesses."
Dave Daly, licensee of the Castle on Central Drive, Blackpool, said many landlords wanted rid of the machines and would rather have cigarettes behind the bar.
He said: "It's another hazard to us. People do try to sneak in and buy them who are underage."
Tim Coglan, head of quality standards at Blackpool Council, said the council welcomed the move.
He said: "Blackpool, like many other towns, has a problem with underage sales, which we know because we do more test purchasing than any other authority.
"We understand the difficulties licensees face in policing vending machines, as it is very difficult to keep tabs on them as well as serving customers."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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