MPs in the UK have voted towards the ban of cigarette vending machines and potential display of tobacco related products in the high street shops.

In the UK, cigarette vending machines may well be a thing of the past. MPs voted against the display of machines and also voted towards the barring of cigarette displays in shops. It was deemed a “historical event” but received strong opposition from the Conservatives stating that businesses would ultimately suffer.It was deemed that devices such as vending machines was a loophole in the current government safeguards of selling cigarettes to people under the age of 16. It has been condemned as the only product in Britain that could be sold legally and that routinely kills and injures its customers.Cancer Research UK welcomed the news as much as Anti-Smoking Campaigners.It has been considered that by putting vending machines out of circulation and advertising of cigarettes in shops would help curb the thousands of smoking relating deaths each year and discourage children from taking up the addiction.Whilst this is a strong message from MPs, one has to wonder what angle they are coming from as alcohol kills through addiction too and also fuels violence and a huge Public Services bills such as Police and NHS Staff, especially at weekends.