Overview of Legislation

From July 1st 2009, the Irish Government have announced that a number of laws will be implemented which directly relate to the supply and sales of cigarettes in the retail trade.  A number of the details enclosed in these laws will have a direct effect on the sales of cigarettes through cigarette vending machines.

Guidance for those Selling Tobacco Products

Please click on the above link to get the full information of the new cigarette legislation and how it will affect you.   The above information is published by the Department of Health/Office of Tobacco Control and was released on May 19th 2009.

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For further details on the act and how we here at Harrington's are enabling all machines to be fully compliant, please follow the different options below

The original act which was published on July 9th 2008 outlines a number of the frameworks through which this legislation will be enforced.  The full act can be viewed by clicking here - Cigarette Legislation.   The details quoted are taken from the website of the Department of Health and Children (www.dohc.ie)

Following on from submissions made by various parties, the government announced on February 13th 2009 some amendments to the original act.  The main points that relate to cigarette machines, are that all machines must be;

"...located adjacent or in close proximity to that part of the licensed premises of the premises of the registered club which is generally attended by a member of staff

within the line of sight of a member of staff at all times, and

activated by means of a disc or card obtained from a member of staff or by a device controlled by such staff"

You can read the full amendment to the original Act by clicking here - Cigarette Amendment.

In response to this new legislation, Harrington Vending Machines, have two main options available for operation of cigarette vending machines;

Option 1 - Cigarette Token

We can supply tokens which activate the machine upon insertion. 

Prior to the insertion of the token, the machine will simply reject all coins until token has been inserted.  Once the machine has dispensed the pack of cigarettes the machine will again revert to requiring token.  Tokens are available in quantities of 500 and will work in all cigarette machines on the market.  Over 95% of the machines will not require any coin mechs to be reprogrammed.  Tokens are in stock.  Please phone 01 8300150 or click HERE to fill out your details.

* For instructions on how to set your machine to run on tokens click Token Instructions.

Option 2 - RF Controller

Through this method, the cigarette machine on a premises can be 'activated' remotely by a member of staff, upon confirmation of a customers age.

Through a simple add-on kit, which is fitted to the machine in seconds, the machine is then under the direct control of the staff.  The machine will remain fully powered on at all times, as present, to encourage sales and prevent disgruntled customers.  When a customer wished to purchase cigarettes from the vending machine, they will simply go to the bar and allow the bar staff to verify their age.  The staff member, will then at a push of a button on a wireless transmitter, allow the machine to be used as normal.  The machine will then revert back to the inhibit mode after the vend.

The addition of a small LED light on the cigarette machine will confirm the status of the machine for both customer and staff alike.   The remote transmitter operated by the staff will operate to a range of 50m with no line of sight required.  This means that the radio frequency control will function in a packed pub/hotel, and you do not need to be in line with the machine.  The wireless transmitter will work successfully through walls, around corners etc..

Among the other benefits of the machine:

Simple Add on Kit - No Wiring Necessary - Fits in Seconds

Coloured LED light indicates machine status- Machine Ready For Use or Machine Requires Activation

Can be fitted to any machine - Harrington/CPV/Azkoyen/Wurlitzer/Jofemar/GM

No programming required

Up to 14 different controllers can operate each machine (ideal for different staff members)

Single Transmitter can be paired to any number of cigarette machines.

Transmitter has range of up to 50m with no line of sight required

One off process - No tokens required - No token slippage

No modification to coin counting machines needed

Will not interfere with any other equipment

Battery operated transmitter (Battery life - Up to 2 years at 50 presses per day)

* For instructions on how to set your machine for RF Control, please click - RF Instructions.

Advertising Panels

According to the above legislation - 'No tobacco advertising will be permitted on self-service vending machines'

In order to conform to this particular aspect of the act, it will be necessary to remove all displays featuring the various cigarette brands from all machines.

Harrington Vending Machines have sourced full colour displays which are fully compliant with the law.  These replacement panels are now available.

We also have stickers printed which can be placed on the machine to inform customers that the machine now requires prior authorisation or token to operate.

Decals

The recent legislation also announced that they consider the product decals beside the buttons on cigarette machines to be advertisements.  In order to comply with the law the old branded images of the cigarette packs, must be replaced with a black text on white background decal.  These are available in sheets through which you can cut out the required brands.

Shop Machines

Finally, Harrington Vending Machines have also in development a new shop cigarette dispensing machine. 

The machine will be primarily for the use of all cigarette operators and will contain up to 60 selections of products, with the ability to not only dispense the various cigarette brands on the market but also the various ancillary tobacco products - loose tobacco, cigars etc..  This is a revolutionary machine which allows all tobacco products to be securely stored and dispensed from the one machine.  This will allow all shops to be fully compliant with the aforementioned legislation.

The machine will have the option of coin, note reader and full audit print out.  Uniquely, the machine will be controlled wirelessly which will allow the machine to be fitted and successfully operated in the full range of locations and sites.

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CoreVend Ltd., 145A Slaney Close, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, Ireland