Jersey plan to ban cigarette displays in shops
Cigarette displays in shops could be banned under new proposals from Jersey's Health Department.
Health Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, said research suggested advertising and promotion of tobacco was related to young people taking up smoking.
She wants displays removed from shops, supermarkets and petrol stations within two years.
The Health Department is also seeking an amendment to the law to ban cigarette vending machines.
'People will smoke'
Tobacco specialist Ian Rayson said, despite half of his business coming from cigarette sales, he was not too worried by the new rules.
He said: "Tobacco and associated products, filters, papers and everything else is coming up towards half of our business. People will still smoke."
James Filleul from the Channel Islands Tobacco Retail Association said there was no evidence to suggest it would work.
He also said it would result in extra hassle for retailers as they would have to change the layout of shops.
Head of health improvement Andrew Heaven said: "There is a substantial body of evidence showing that the advertising and promotion of tobacco products is both directly and indirectly related to young people taking up smoking, then progressing from experimentation to regular smoking, and finally to continued smoking amongst adults.
"This is the reason we want to see restrictions on the promotion of tobacco, because studies indicate it can make a real difference."
The department said both of the proposals were a crucial step to meeting the targets for reducing the number of children under 16 years old who smoke.