- Cigarette machine
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A cigarette machine is a vending machine that takes cash in payment for packets of cigarettes. Vending machines often dispense packs containing 16 or 18 cigarettes, although the dimensions of the packaging are the same as the equivalent pack containing 20.
Contents
Bans and restrictions
In order to aid the restriction of sale of tobacco to minors, cigarette machines are regulated in many countries.
Japan
Since July 2008, in Japan machine companies could be prosecuted if tobacco is sold to anyone under 20 years old. To avoid such legal prosecution, Japan has introduced a government registered electronic smart card, called Taspo, that allows the user to purchase from the machines. To get a Taspo card, the purchaser must present their passport or ID to any government authorized business offering the service. The Fujitaka company is developing a technology that allows the vending machine to determine, using a digital camera and based on the facial wrinkles and sags of the potential buyer, whether the buyer is old enough to purchase cigarettes. The system compares facial characteristics including bone structure, sags, and crow's feet against a record of more than 100,000 people. However if the user fails they can still use the machine with a Taspo card.[1]
Bans and restrictions in Europe
Country/Territory Situation regarding cigarette vending machines Austria No specific legislation banning vending machines. But sales to under 16s are prohibited Belgium Sales prohibited to under 16s. Machines need to be locked/unlocked by a responsible adult Cyprus Banned Czech Republic Machines restricted to over 18s and situtated in bars and similar places only Denmark Sales prohibited to under 18s. Machines generally situated in restaurants, bars and hotel lobbies. Age verification monitored by staff England Ban came into force on 1 October 2011[2] Estonia Banned Finland Due to be banned on 1st January 2015 France Banned Georgia Banned Germany Machines contain an electronic device for controlling the age of buyers (no sales to under 18s) Greece Banned Guernsey A ban was approved on 1 July 2010, following an amendment to the existing tobacco advertising law. The exact date of implementation has yet to be decided Hungary Banned in 2006 Iceland Banned Ireland Restricted to licensed premises only since 1st July 2009. Vending machines are operated by a token or card obtained from the bar once the buyer has been identified as being over 18 Italy Sales to under 16s prohibited Luxembourg Age has to be proven at the counter or bar before a token is issued so that the machine can be used Malta Sales prohibited to under 18s Netherlands Token issued at counter once the purchasers age has been verified Northern Ireland Ban due to come into force on 1st February 2012[3] Norway Token operated, sales banned to under 18s Poland Banned Portugal Sales prohibited to under 18s Romania Banned Slovakia Banned Slovenia Banned Spain No sales to under 18s Scotland The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced the ban on cigarette sales from vending machines. The date of implementation is expected to be April 2015.[3] Sweden No sales to under 18s Switzerland Machines are banned in 17 out of 26 cantons. Sales are restricted in other cantons to either under 16s or under 18s Ukraine Banned Wales Ban due to come into force on 1st February 2012 See also
- Clark Whittington, creator of the Art-o-mat, a project to convert disused cigarette machines into art vending machines
- Taspo, a Japanese system for age verification at cigarette machines
- Action on Smoking and Health, Cigarette vending machines
References
- ^ "Japanese smokers to face age test". BBC. 2008-12-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7395910.stm. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ^ "Cigarette vending machines banned in England". BBC. 1 October 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15132529. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Ban on selling cigarettes from vending machines comes into force". www.guardian.co.uk. 1 October 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/01/vending-machine-tobacco-ban-begins. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
External links
Categories:- Cigarettes
- Vending machines
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