Cigarette machine
Encyclopedia
Vending machine
A vending machine is a machine which dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine....
that takes cash in payment for packets of cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
s. Vending machines often dispense packs containing 16 or 18 cigarettes, although the dimensions of the packaging are the same as the equivalent pack containing 20.
Bans and restrictions
In order to aid the restriction of sale of tobacco to minorMinor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
s, cigarette machines are regulated in many countries.
Japan
Since July 2008, in Japan machine companies could be prosecuted if tobacco is sold to anyone under 20 years old. To avoid such legal prosecution, Japan has introduced a government registered electronic smart card, called TaspoTaspo
, formerly known as , is a smart card using RFIDdeveloped by the Tobacco Institute of Japan , the , and the for introduction in 2008. Following its introduction, the card is necessary in order to purchase cigarettes from vending machines in Japan. The name "Taspo" is a portmanteau for .The group...
, that allows the user to purchase from the machines. To get a Taspo card, the purchaser must present their passport or ID to any government authorized business offering the service. The Fujitaka company is developing a technology that allows the vending machine to determine, using a digital camera and based on the facial wrinkles and sags of the potential buyer, whether the buyer is old enough to purchase cigarettes. The system compares facial characteristics including bone structure, sags, and crow's feet against a record of more than 100,000 people. However if the user fails they can still use the machine with a Taspo card.
Bans and restrictions in Europe
| Country/Territory | Situation regarding cigarette vending machines |
|---|---|
 Austria |
No specific legislation banning vending machines. But sales to under 16s are prohibited |
 Belgium |
Sales prohibited to under 16s. Machines need to be locked/unlocked by a responsible adult |
 Cyprus |
Banned |
 Czech Republic |
Machines restricted to over 18s and situtated in bars and similar places only |
 Denmark |
Sales prohibited to under 18s. Machines generally situated in restaurants, bars and hotel lobbies. Age verification monitored by staff |
 Kingdom of England |
Ban came into force on 1 October 2011 |
 Estonia |
Banned |
 Finland |
Due to be banned on 1st January 2015 |
 Early Modern France |
Banned |
 Georgia (country) |
Banned |
 Germany |
Machines contain an electronic device for controlling the age of buyers (no sales to under 18s) |
 Greece |
Banned |
 Guernsey |
A ban was approved on 1 July 2010, following an amendment to the existing tobacco advertising law. The exact date of implementation has yet to be decided |
 Hungary |
Banned in 2006 |
 Iceland |
Banned |
 Republic of Ireland |
Restricted to licensed premises only since 1st July 2009. Vending machines are operated by a token or card obtained from the bar once the buyer has been identified as being over 18 |
 Italy |
Sales to under 16s prohibited |
 Luxembourg |
Age has to be proven at the counter or bar before a token is issued so that the machine can be used |
 Malta |
Sales prohibited to under 18s |
 Netherlands |
Token issued at counter once the purchasers age has been verified |
 Northern Ireland |
Ban due to come into force on 1st February 2012 |
 Norway |
Token operated, sales banned to under 18s |
 Poland |
Banned |
 Portugal |
Sales prohibited to under 18s |
 Kingdom of Romania |
Banned |
 Slovakia |
Banned |
 Slovenia |
Banned |
 Spain |
No sales to under 18s |
 Kingdom of Scotland |
The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced the ban on cigarette sales from vending machines. The date of implementation is expected to be April 2015. |
 Sweden |
No sales to under 18s |
 Switzerland |
Machines are banned in 17 out of 26 cantons. Sales are restricted in other cantons to either under 16s or under 18s |
 Ukraine |
Banned |
 Wales |
Ban due to come into force on 1st February 2012 |
See also
- Clark WhittingtonClark WhittingtonClark Whittington is an artist and the creator of the . Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art....
, creator of the Art-o-mat, a project to convert disused cigarette machines into art vending machines - TaspoTaspo, formerly known as , is a smart card using RFIDdeveloped by the Tobacco Institute of Japan , the , and the for introduction in 2008. Following its introduction, the card is necessary in order to purchase cigarettes from vending machines in Japan. The name "Taspo" is a portmanteau for .The group...
, a Japanese system for age verification at cigarette machines - Action on Smoking and HealthAction on Smoking and HealthAction on Smoking and Health is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups/charities throughout the world which seek to publicize the risks associated with tobacco smoking and campaigns for greater restrictions on cigarette and tobacco sales....
, Cigarette vending machines