It will be illegal for retailers to openly display tobacco products from July 1.
The new requirement applies to all businesses selling tobacco products to the public, not just in shops, but also to ‘on-trade’ licensed premises such as pubs and clubs.
Retailers will have to cover tobacco products so they not visible to the public except in limited circumstances, such as when serving them to customers aged 18 and over and during restocking or during training.
It will also be illegal to sell tobacco products from vending machines and for service providers in the Isle of Man to advertise tobacco products on the internet.
In the absence of open displays of tobacco products, customers aged 18 or over will still be able to request their usual brand or a price list at the point of sale. Retailers will be permitted to display one A3 poster and can also display prices on covered shelving or on the front of storage units.
Non-compliance with any of the new requirements will be a criminal offence and any one found guilty of an offence is liable to a substantial fine and/or a prison sentence of up to two years.
David Quirk MHK, chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, said: ‘We hope the new legislation decreases the number of young people taking up smoking and creates a supportive environment for those wishing to quit smoking.’
For more information visit www.gov.im/oft/tradingstandards/agerestrict/tobacco.xml or call the OFT on 686500.