Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision for exemptions from the prohibition of tobacco displays imposed by section 7A(1) of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 (“the Act”).

These Regulations do not apply to specialist tobacconists (regulation 1(3)).

Regulation 1 provides that these Regulations shall come into force on 1st October 2011 for large shops, other than bulk tobacconists, and on 1st October 2013 for all other purposes.

Regulation 3 defines the meaning of “place” for the purposes of section 7A of the Act (prohibition of tobacco displays). It is defined as meaning premises in England where tobacco products are offered for sale in the course of a business, other than premises which are accessible only by persons engaged in, or employed by, the tobacco trade and which do not display the prices of tobacco products on the outside of the premises.

Regulation 4 applies when there is a display of tobacco products to an individual following a particular request by the individual to purchase a tobacco product, or for information about a tobacco product; this is a “requested display” as defined in section 7B(8) of the Act (tobacco displays: exclusions and defence). No offence will be committed by a display of tobacco products to persons other than the individual who requested the display if the requirements in regulation 4 are met.

Regulation 5 allows for displays of tobacco products in “bulk tobacconists”. “Bulk tobacconists” are defined (in regulation 2) to mean shops that do not sell cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco in small units. Tobacco products may be displayed if they are in an area of the shop containing only tobacco products and smoking accessories and the requirements of regulation 5 are met.

Regulation 6 allows for displays of tobacco products during restocking. Tobacco products may be displayed only whilst they are being placed in a unit in which they will be held pending sale (a “storage unit” defined in regulation 2). A limit is imposed on the area of the unit in which products may be visible during restocking.

Regulation 7 allows for displays of tobacco products where such displays are requested by duly authorised officers of enforcement authorities, police officers or customs officers acting in the course of duty.

Regulation 8 enables an indication on a storage unit of tobacco products held in the unit if the requirements in this regulation are met.

The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Point of Sale) Regulations 2004, which permitted certain tobacco advertisements to be published at places where tobacco products are sold, are revoked. Section 2 of the Act prohibits tobacco advertising.

A draft of these Regulations has been notified to the European Commission as a technical standard, pursuant to Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (OJ No L204, 21.7.98, p37) laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations, as amended.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Tobacco Programme, Department of Health, Room 712, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website (www.opsi.gov.uk).