NSW Prepares for Tobacco Changes

NSW retailers will be required to keep all tobacco products and displays out of sight from July 1, with the State Government passing the stringent conditions in November.

Bigger retail operations with more than 50 employees will have six months to adjust and comply to the new regulations, while smaller business will have 12 months to make the appropriate changes.

Minister Jody McKay said the move signals the “beginning of the end” for the advertising and promotion of tobacco products in retail outlets but stressed there would be enough time to adjust.

“The display ban will be introduced using a phased approach to provide retailers time to plan for the changes and implement the display restrictions,” McKay said.

Also included in the new laws is the removal of the right to sell tobacco if caught selling to under-18s or breaching regulations in other ways.

It will also see cigarette machines only allowed in licensed venues restricted to those aged 18-plus and they will have to be operated by employees.

The draft regulations have been released for public comment, with a month to review and respond.

[Mon 06/04/2009 03:29:10]