23 October 2014
New regulations on the advertising, promotion and display of tobacco mean that from 30 October 2014 retailers in Jersey will no longer be permitted to have tobacco products on permanent, open display to the public.
Customers will still be able to buy cigarettes and tobacco in the usual way but will see the following changes:
- shops, bars and clubs will no longer have cigarettes and other tobacco products on display
- customers may be asked their age before being served, because staff will no longer be allowed to show cigarettes or tobacco to customers under 18 years of age (as well as not being able to sell them to anyone under 18 years)
- tobacco price lists displayed behind the counter will also look different, because they will have to be in a plain format without branding
- retailers may provide a list of tobacco products and prices on request to customers aged over 18 in order to help them make a choice. This list may include pictures or logos, but must not be on permanent display
Jersey Airport’s duty free shop will also be included under the new regulations and there will be a separate area for selling tobacco, for people aged 18 and over. Tobacco products can be uncovered in this area, but no tobacco product should be able to be seen from outside the area. Duty free sales on planes and boats will remain the same, as long as tobacco products cannot be seen when in the Jersey Harbours and Airport.
Latest component of tobacco strategy
Head of Health Improvement, Martin Knight said “These regulations are the latest component of the States of Jersey Tobacco Control Strategy, working towards the aim of reducing smoking amongst adults and the up-take of smoking among young people.
“There is good evidence that gantry displays in shops with their strong branding can trigger purchases by adults trying to stop smoking, but the main reason for these changes is to protect children from this form of tobacco promotion. Children and young people are known to be particularly influenced by tobacco imagery, branding and tobacco gantries, increasing the perceived availability and normalisation of tobacco products.
“These changes, alongside a range of other actions within the Tobacco Control Strategy will help reduce the harm tobacco causes to the health of Islanders.”
Information and guidance for retailers
Regulatory officers from the Environmental Health Team, part of the Public Health Directorate, will support retailers in complying with the regulations. Information and guidance has been provided to retailers during the 18 month lead-in period prior to the new regulations coming into place.
Head of Environmental Health, Stewart Petrie said “We wanted to make the introduction and compliance with these regulations as simple as possible, so Public Health has been making sure awareness of, and guidance on these regulations has been made available from an early stage to support retailers.
“Regulatory officers will always take a proportionate approach to securing compliance. In the first instance, an Environmental Health officer will investigate any reported non-compliance and seek to ensure improvement informally before any legal proceeding is considered.”
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