Vending machines

• The TMA believes that access to cigarette vending machines should be strictly controlled to prevent sales to children and supported the government’s initial proposal on restricted access in the Health Bill 2009.
• The TMA does not, however, support the implementation of the legislation contained in the Health Act (2009) which prohibits vending machines and therefore prevents legitimate access by adult smokers.
• Instead, the TMA proposes that vending operators and manufacturers identify and utilize technology systems that enable the purchase of tobacco products by adults only (see image of radio frequency controlled machine below).
• The TMA has always supported the NACMO Code of Practice on the siting of machines and also supports all other practical methods of preventing sales to children.
• Eliminating uncontrolled sales of cheap and illegally imported cigarettes and stronger enforcement of the law on under age sales would also help reduce availability to children.