Cigarette Vending Machines Will Soon Be Illegal!

Four months ago, at the end of January 2011, MK Uri Ariel proposed a new law that would ban the selling of cigarettes in vending machines. At the time, the initial reading of the law was passed by a majority in Knesset of 45-1.

Yesterday, the proposal was finally finalized into law. It will soon be illegal to sell cigarettes in vending machines, and the new law will take effect as of the beginning of 2014.

It is amazing how this was not made into law many years ago. I have seen numerous young adults, even as young as 14 year olds, 15 year olds and the like, buying cigarettes in the cigarette vending machine in the shopping center near my house. Better late than never.

Interestingly, Mk Uri Ariel, the sponsor of the new law and himself a heavy smoker who successfully quit smoking, had some interesting comments on the discussion surrounding the new law. (source: Srugim) Ariel said:

• .. The problem with the machines is not just that they make cigarettes more accessible to kids, but they increase the accessibility to everyone. The less cigarettes are available, the less people will smoke...
• In response to complaints from smokers that it will be much harder for them to buy cigarettes, Ariel responded that there is no need to take into account the interests of smokers. Anybody addicted, Ariel said, can continue to buy his cigarettes in the places that will continue selling them. Whoever will be forced to buy less because of the removal of the vending machines should just say thank you to us and stop complaining. 
• Ariel said the ban would save many youth from the harm of the smoke that causes damage to the smokers as well as to those nearby. This has become a national plague that costs us billions of shekels, treating cancer and other diseases caused by smoking.

It is about time!