Long arm of the law

The Health Act 2009 received royal assent on 12 November. One of its key element is the strengthening of tobacco control legislation in order to prevent harm to children and young people. This new provision bans most shops from displaying tobacco products as well as the sale of tobacco from vending machines. DH is currently consulting on the regulations that will implement these provisions and it is expected that they will come into force in the next few months.