A ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes has come into force today as part of new anti-smoking laws.
The law change, announced by the Government last month, means that smokers in Glasgow and across the UK can no longer purchase 'flavoured' or 'skinny' cigarettes.
The ban comes from the EU’s new Tobacco Product Directive laws and is designed to deter young people from taking up smoking.
While the selling or manufacturing of menthol cigarettes is now illegal, the ban does not include menthol filters, although they cannot be sold packaged with cigarettes or tobacco.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Menthol cigarettes are a child-friendly starter product because menthol makes it easier to smoke and to inhale the smoke deep into the lungs.
"Menthol smokers are also more likely to become heavily addicted and find it harder to quit.
"That's why the Government concluded a ban on menthol was justified, it's just a shame it's taken so long."
Under the new regulations, no person may produce or supply cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco with:
- a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings;
- a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine; or
- a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product.
Prior to today, it was already illegal in the UK to sell menthol cigarettes in packs of more than 20.
While tobacco products have already been hidden under the counter and stripped of branding under previous moves.
