Clampdown on tobacco advertising at point of sale, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 22 Dec 2004 - 12:00 PDT

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Strict limits came in to force today to restrict the advertising of cigarettes and tobacco products in shops, pubs and clubs. This will ensure that the total advertising for all tobacco companies is no more than the size of a paperback book and will have to include a health warning occupying 30% of the area.

The new regulations are part of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act and are amongst the strictest in the world. They will be enforced by Trading Standards officers and violations will result in fines of up to £5,000 or 5 months in prison.

Launching the new look tobacco counter at an Asda store in London, Health Secretary John Reid said:

"Every year around 106,000 people die as a result of smoking. We are committed to tackling this and have already made huge strides by reducing the number of people who smoke by 1.2 million since 1998. Tobacco advertising and sponsorship have encouraged children and young teenagers to start smoking by promoting the image of smoking as glamorous. We know that this is not the case - it is addictive and deadly.

"These new regulations will mean that people will no longer be bombarded by the large, colourful tobacco advertising at their local supermarket of corner shop. The advertising will be rightly confined to a small area and only on the place where the tobacco is displayed. This is one element of our plans to help people stop smoking and reduce the numbers of people who take up the habit. The recent Public Health White Paper sets out action on smoking in public places and plans to extend and improve NHS Smoking Services. Seven out of ten smokers want to give up and we are committed to providing the right environment and support for them to take this decision and stick to it. "

This clampdown in advertising follows a victory by the Department of Health in a legal battle against tobacco manufacturers in their bid to overturn the regulations in October.

Welcoming the introduction of the new regulations, Jean King, Director of Tobacco Control at Cancer Research UK, said:

"Point of sale has been an opportunity for tobacco companies to promote their deadly products and we are pleased that this loophole has now been closed. We fully support a ban on all tobacco advertising and promotion because research shows it saves lives."

Related links
www.statistics.gov.uk

Notes to editor

1. The regulations are made under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 which introduced a general ban on tobacco advertising on television, radio, magazines, newspapers and billboards. The regulations come into force on 21 December 2004.

2. The total area of the advertisement(s) must not exceed A5 size, and must include a health warning at 30% of the total area. The regulations will have the effect of reducing the amount of advertising currently allowed at points of sale which include large, often brightly coloured, branded gantries.

3. The regulations will allow vending machines to carry only a picture of the products offered for sale.

4. It is estimated that a comprehensive advertising ban will reduce tobacco consumption and smoking prevalence over time by 2.5% of the adult population and therefore reduce the number of deaths caused by smoking. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 therefore placed a ban on press, billboard and most forms of sponsorship of tobacco products and the promotion of smoking through free distribution of tobacco products, coupons and mailshots in the UK.

5. Enforcement of the regulations, and of the Advertising Act as a whole is the responsibility of local authorities through their Trading Standards Officers

6. A consultation on the draft regulations took place between August and November 2002

7. Latest figures on smoking prevalence show there are 1.2 million fewer smokers since 1998. Available from the General Household Survey (2003) at the link provided:

8. Six tobacco companies brought the Judicial Review against the regulations including:

- British American Tobacco

- Imperial Tobacco

- Gallaher

- Philip Morris

- SEITA (representing the interests of foreign manufacturers)

- Cherwell Tobacco (representing the interests of the tobacco vending machine industry).

9. On 16th December 2004, the UK ratified the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This is the first international treaty on public health and will come in to force at the end of March 2005.

For more press information ONLY please contact the Department of Health Media Centre on the number provided.

Contact
Department of health press office
Sophie Coppel
020 7210 5707

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