arrival duty free

Cigarettes disappear from UK supermarket shelves as of April 2012

As of 6th April 2012 all tobacco products in all supermarkets and shops (only over 280 sq m) must be hidden in closed cupboards or under the counter away from view. Smaller shops and specialist tobacconists will have to fall into line by 2015. This is part of the tough government anti smoking legislation which is aimed to help discourage younger people from taking up the habit.

While there are only relatively few countries taking similar action - Ireland (2009), Iceland (2001), Norway (2010) and Thailand (2005) and 10 states in Canada (2004), (and with Australia moving towards plain packaging for all cigarettes and a ban on passengers importing duty free cigarettes as well), the number of smokers in the UK has fallen from 45% (1974) to 21% currently. The government is looking to reduce this to 18.5% by 2015.

The Duty Free industry is currently not part of the latest legislation but it is certain that the Tobacco manufacturers and Duty Free Operators will watching this trend with much trepidation as it is only a matter of time before legislation encroaches on duty free territory.