Cigarette vending machine ban from midnight

Cigarettes will no longer be available from vending machines across Northern Ireland from March 1, 2012.

The new legislation comes as Northern Ireland follow the precedent set by England and Wales by banning the sale of tobacco products from vending machines in an attempt to make it more difficult for young people to purchase tobacco.

In a speech made last year, Health Minister Edwin Poots revealed that for 14 per cent of 11-16 year olds, cigarette vending machines were the usual source of obtaining tobacco.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, welcomed the ban.

Dr Carter said: “The ban is another welcome measure to stop young people from obtaining tobacco from what is a largely unsupervised source.

“By joining England and Wales in introducing such legislation, the ban makes it more difficult for young people to engage in smoking. It will also protect them from the long-term ill-effects of tobacco use, including the risk of mouth cancer.

“It is really important that everyone knows the warning signs for mouth cancer. They include ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth. Our message to everyone is ‘If in doubt, get checked out.’”