A ban on tobacco displays shall come into force in England. Ministers hope it will help curb the number of young people taking up smoking. Cigarettes and other products must be below the counter in major department stores and supermarkets, while the smaller outlets to release until 2015.

Minister of Health Andrew Lansley told the BBC hopes that the ban will prevent people from starting to smoke and help those trying to quit. He said: “First, it reduces the visibility of tobacco products and smoking among young people. And, of course, two-thirds of smokers start smoking before they were eighteen … So, if you can, literally, come to a place where young people just do not think about smoking and they do not see, tobacco, and they do not see the cigarettes -. I hope that we can make a big difference, “He said the government recognized the pressure on retailers to comply with the ban, but added:” We want to arrive at the place where we do not see how smoking is a normal part of life. We do this in stages with a constant active pressure. ”

One fifth of adults smoke – a figure that has remained stable in recent years after decades of rapid decline. The plan to force cigarette manufacturers to put in a regular package, expected to be put up for consultation later this year. The display ban will apply to stores over 280 sqm (3014 sq ft). Those who violate the law face fines of up to 5000 pounds ($ 7930, 6070 euro), or even jail time.

Health Minister Anne Milton cited data from Ireland, which proposed measures could play an important role in preventing young people, particularly smoking. “We can not ignore the fact that young people gain in smoking colorful, attractive, displays a cigarette. Most adult smokers began smoking during adolescence and we must stop this trend.”

Joe Butcher, Office for Children, agreed: “It is important that we have created a culture that promotes and protects public health and tobacco legislation is an important factor in making it.”

Jean King, the charity Cancer Research UK, said that the ban will help stop children who are attracted to the bright packaging of tobacco smoking initiation, but further action is still needed. “Of course, we want a package of branding was taken as well. This is not a normal product of the consumer, he kills people. We want to protect a new generation of kids,” she said.

Professor David Hammond of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, who advised the UK Department of Health in the legal case brought by tobacco companies, said smoking among young people aged 15 to 19 years has changed significantly after the ban came into force.

Tags: tobacco ban, tobacco ban for youth