SHOPS which open for 18 hours or more per day will now be able to sell cigarettes and loose tobacco.
A new law has been passed which means that, in addition to petrol stations, convenience stores will also be allowed to set up cigarette machines on the premises.
It means shops such as the chain OpenCor – which never shuts – will be permitted to have vending machines in store, but they will not be allowed to sell cigarettes off the shelf, since only tobacconists are authorised to do so.
However, the law will rule out 7/11 stores and most internet cafés, since these are only open for between 12 and 16 hours daily.
Convenience stores will be obliged to apply to the Commission for the Tobacco Market, and register the vending machine number as well as the tobacconist which supplies them.
This measure is designed to maintain strict controls over cigarette sales.
