WIREDGOV

A revised timetable for implementing the tobacco display ban in Scotland will be published following conclusion of an ongoing legal challenge.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison announced today, following publication of the Department of Health's latest plans, that she expected Scotland's implementation dates to mirror the English position. Scotland's revised timescale will be confirmed following conclusion of Imperial Tobacco's legal challenge.

Ms Robison said:

"Through our work with retailers on the implementation of the display ban proposals, it has become clear that there is support for the ban to come into force at the same time both north and south of the border.

"Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the ongoing legal challenge we will, therefore, be working towards implementation from April 1, 2012 for large retailers and from April 1, 2015 for small retailers. This will also give retailers more time to prepare for the changes.

"Banning tobacco displays in shops is an important step towards our vision of a smoke-free Scotland by helping to deter children and young people from starting to smoke in the first place."

Implementation of the tobacco display ban in shops has already been delayed in Scotland because of an ongoing legal challenge. The ban had been expected to come into force for larger retailers on October 1.

However, Imperial Tobacco are appealing an earlier Court of Session judgement which found in favour of the Scottish Government and the appeal is due to be heard later this year.