Vendor loses £400k after tobacco laws change

Claims government didn't consult with him

A Manx tobacco vendor claims government didn't consult him on new advertising legislation.

From today, it's illegal to sell cigarettes or cigars from vending machines, and for service providers to openly display tobacco-based products.

Companies or individuals found to be flouting the rules by the Office of Fair Trading could face a fine or up to two years in prison.

Local entrepeneur Andy Gibbs has had to scrap £400,000 worth of assets in his vending company - which will now be closed down.

He says he only heard about the changes three months ago: (play audio)

The Department of Health and Social Care says its officers visited several stores, ran two public consultations, the second of which was sent specifically to retailers,  adjusted regulations as a result of these consultations and visits to them.

They also wrote to all retailers affected when the legislation was approved, offered meetings and visits, produced a question and answer guide as well as a brief pictorial guide.

The DHSC says in addition, it issued at least three news releases directly on the topic, as well as information linking to websites (OFT and Public Health, Quit4You) and issued extra information on the Public Health Facebook page.