Tobacco vending machines - changes to the law on 1st October 2011

From 1st October 2011 the sale of tobacco products from vending machines became illegal in England. It also became illegal to display advertisements or pictures of tobacco products on vending machines. 

The Government is committed to helping reduce smoking prevalence and the purpose of the vending machine ban is to improve public health.

Businesses will still be able to sell tobacco products if they wish to, but must comply with the current law.   The legislation does not ban vending machines themselves. The machine can stay in their current position if:

a) they are no longer used to sell tobacco products and 

b) all advertisements of tobacco products are removed from them or covered up. 

The vending machine could, for example, be behind the bar, provided that the machine is positioned where the owner or manager of the premises can guarantee that it is impossible for any member of the public to use the machine.