Cigarette machines to have remote controls

Joan Collins CIGARETTE dispensing machines will have a mechanism from next year which will allow the manager of the establishment to remotely lock and unlock it in order to stop minors having access to tobacco. This is a resolution passed by the Commission for the Marketing of Tobacco products, which came into force yesterday. Sources from the Spanish Ministry for the Economy explained that all the machines which have been produced since January 1 this year have incorporated this option, while those which do not have this facility will have three months to adapt to the new law. Because of this facility the machines will be permanently locked, showing a message indicating that anyone who wishes to use them will have to ask the manager of the establishment to activate it. This will be done “only when the manager of the establishment has determined that the client is not a minor”. The manager of the establishment will be able to control the machine by means of a cable with a selector switch connected to the machine and situated only within reach of the manager, or via a remote control device which can be customised within the machine to prevent external manipulation. These mechanisms are installed in all machines which have been manufactured since January 1 this year, while older ones have to be adapted to the requirements laid down by the resolution within three months. Also, the manufacturers, importers and installers of these machines have to supply a certificate which specifies that the control system complies with the required specification. They must also send a copy of the paperwork to the Commission for the Marketing of Tobacco products to “properly identify the machine”. However, the President of the National Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Addiction (CNPT) Rodrigo Cordoba, voiced his “doubts” about the compliance with the antitobacco law, and said that all tobacco vending machines should be withdrawn. Rodrigo Cordoba says that this would mean giving tobacconists “the exclusive right to sell tobacco” which would be “sufficient if you take into account the actual number of these establishments”. Cordoba also said that although the control of tobacco is now more effective than before the new law came into force, the inspection services in the regions should be “more effective” in forcing people to comply. Elsewhere, the Catalan Federation of Associations for Musical Recreational Activities (Fecasarm) has collected 50'000 signatures from their clients to demand a modification in the antitobacco law which will allow smoking in bars where there is music, discos and anywhere which has recreational musical activities which is less than 100 square metres, as happens now with bars and restaurants. Fecasarm complains that the law bans minors from entering establishments and areas where smoking is allowed, while in bars and restaurants minors are allowed in, “and also there are the groups of young people between 16 and 18 years old who drink in the streets causing great annoyance and inconvenience to the residents in these areas”.