British MPs back ban on cigarette vendors

       Cigarette vending machines could be banned after MPs supported an amendment to a planned new law that will also stop shops from displaying tobacco.
       Former Labour minister Ian McCartney, who proposed the vending machine ban, said the new law would make it harder for children to buy cigarettes.
       The proposal forms part of a Health Bill that must now go back to the House of Lords for approval before becoming law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
       "We don't allow alcohol, fireworks,knives or other age-restricted products to be sold from vending machines," Mr McCartney said on his website."These are only sold where there is a face-toface transaction over the counter. We need to tackle this anomaly which allows children to get hold of cigarettes."
       The House of Commons approved the vending machine amendment late on Monday without it going to a vote.
       Health campaigners welcomed the amendment and said it would help to stop children from becoming addicted to tobacco."Consigning vending machines to the scrapheap will cut off an easy supply of cigarettes to children,"said the British Heart Foundation, which has campaigned for a ban.
       Anti-tobacco pressure group ASH,Action on Smoking and Health, said the new law would be the most significant public health measure since the 2007 smoking ban.
       Meanwhile, Conservative backbenchers argued that the proposals would harm shopkeepers and do little to improve the public's health. The government said it would not oppose Mr McCartney's amendment in the House of Lords.