The Scottish government announced plans to ban the open display of cigarettes in shops.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison announced a series of measures to the Scottish Parliament, which also include tobacco licensing and outlawing the sale of cigarettes in packs of ten.
Several areas of the action plan will need to be taken forward with support from the UK government. Legislation is likely to be brought forward in 2009.
The minister said she recognised concern in the retail sector with regard to the banning of displays, but said they were clearly being used as a promotional tool, telling parliament similar moves in other countries had not seen a dramatic impact on businesses.
Tobacco advertising has been banned in the country since 2002. (pi)