From Wednesday, cigarettes in supermarkets really have to …

From next Wednesday, all tobacco products in supermarkets must now be out of sight. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will immediately check and enforce the ban if necessary.

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Actually, the ban on displaying tobacco products would come into effect on January 1 this year, but the supermarkets were postponed until July 1 because the ministry needed more time. The display ban for smaller outlets than supermarkets will commence on 1 January 2021.

The ban will be enforced immediately from Wednesday, a spokesperson for the NVWA said. “We will check and, if necessary, we will also enforce.” According to the spokesperson, the supermarkets have had more than enough time to get their affairs in order. “Everyone knew this was coming.”

Politics wants to go even further than the display ban at supermarkets. A motion was tabled this spring to have petrol stations and supermarkets reduce their cigarette sales to zero as quickly as possible next year.

Previously, the House of Representatives only passed a motion requiring the number of outlets to be ‘substantially’ reduced before 2022. Ultimately, tobacco products may only be sold in specialty stores.

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