Cigarette displays in shops will be banned under a bill which passed its first reading in Parliament last night.It was strongly supported on a vote of 108 to three and has been sent to the health select committee for public submissions.The ban on displays
Cigarette displays in shops will be banned under a bill which passed its first reading in Parliament last night.
It was strongly supported on a vote of 108 to three and has been sent to the health select committee for public submissions.
The ban on displays will come into force six months after the bill becomes law and there will be a two-year transition period so that shops can be modified.
The bill also allows infringement notices to be issued when tobacco is sold to people under 18, with a maximum fine of $400.
Prosecution through the courts will still be used for serious or repeat offences, with a maximum fine of $2000.
The bill says prosecutions have been cumbersome and costly, and the infringement notice will be effective against first time offenders.
MPs who spoke during the first reading debate praised the Government for bringing in the bill, which is under the name of Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.
Some Labour MPs said they doubted National would have introduced it without pressure from the Maori Party.
All the parties in Parliament supported the bill although ACT cast a split vote with two MPs in favour and three opposed.
