Kevin Lang provides vocal support in favour of tobacco vending machine ban

2.09.00pm GMT Fri 13th Mar 2009

Kevin Lang addresses the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference, speaking in favour of a complete ban on tobacco vending machines.

In the first debate of the Scottish Liberal Democrats' spring conference in Perth, the party has approved a new policy to ban tobacco vending machines to help tackle sales of cigarettes to under 18s. Local Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh North & Leith, Kevin Lang spoke in favour of the policy, arguing that action was needed to reduce the many children who illegally buy tobacco from vending machines.

Smoking now accounts for one in every four preventable deaths, with 35 people dying from smoking every day.

Recent studies have found that under 18s had been able to purchase cigarettes at 40% of sites where tobacco vending machines were placed. In some local authorities, the figure was 100%.

The British Health Foundation, Macmillan Cancer and the World Health Organisation are all now in favour on an outright ban on tobacco vending machines.

Speaking during the opening debate, Kevin Lang said,

"Underage smoking is a serious problem and it is getting worse, with a two fold increase in sales to minors over the last two years. Everyday, hundreds of children are taking up smoking.

"Access to cigarettes is a key part of the problem and the proper regulation of access a key part of the solution.

"A ban on tobacco vending machines is no silver bullet. It must be part of a range of tools in addressing the problem of underage sales.

"Unmanned machines cannot be properly policed - wherever they are situated. A ban would cut off one of the major sources of cigarettes for children. It is our duty to do whatever we can to stop children from illegally purchasing tobacco."

The Scottish Liberal Democrat conference voting overwhelmingly in favour of the ban.