HC Deb 21 November 1957 vol 578 c55W
16. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the increasing numbers of automatic machines offering cigarettes for sale is offsetting the efforts to reduce smoking amongst children in the interests of their health; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Section 7 (2) of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, enables a summary court, if satisfied on complaint that any automatic machine for the sale of tobacco is being extensively used by persons apparently under the age of sixteen, to order precautions to be taken to prevent the machine being so used or, if necessary, its removal. I doubt whether any further provision to restrict the sale of tobacco from automatic machines would be justified.