PUB landlords in Bolton could face fines of up to £7,500 and six months in jail if they do not remove ciga- rette vending machines before they are banned next month.

From October 1 it will be illegal to sell cigarettes or to advertise them or dis- play pictures of them on vending machines.

Selling them carries a maximum penalty of £2,500, while the more serious offence of adver- tising carries a maximum penalty of man at Barristers in Bradshawgate, added: “We get a lot of people at the weekend who use our cigarette machine. Where are they going to get a pack of cigarettes when everywhere’s closed?”

Vogue manager, Tina Granata, said: “I think it’s a bit daft if it’s meant to protect children, because obviously we don’t let anybody who’s under 18 in anyway, even during the day.”

The Elephant and Cas- tle’s machine was taken out two months ago and the Spinning Mule in Nel- son Square had its removed two years ago.

Duty manager Danny Howell said he was pleased it had gone because it stopped under- age young- sters trying to gointobuy cigarettes. McCauley’s The move, which has been insti- gated by the Department for Health, is part of the government’s drive to reduce the number of smokers across the UK.

a huge fine Bolton pub landlords yesterday said they would not miss the machines but it would be an inconven- ience for smokers, espe- cially late at night when there are no shops open.

Landlord at Ye Olde Man and Scythe in Church- gate, John Jewitt, said: “I would urge all landlords to make sure they comply because this is a huge fine.”

Peter Greenwood, bar- barman Alex Wilson said: “No-one really uses them anyway, they are too expensive.” But Balmoral manager Sheena Somereille said: “We have a lot of people asking for them.”

Letters have been sent to all pubs, clubs and restau- rants in Bolton and these will be followed up by vis- its from trading standards officers if they fail to com- ply with the new law.

Bolton Council will be responsible for enforcing the legislation, in the same manner as the smoking ban, which was introduced in 2007.

Cllr Ismail Ibrahim, Bolton Council’s execu- tive member for regenera- tion, housing and skills, said: “There are clearly very serious conse- quences for business own- ers who fail to comply with this new legislation, so I would advise them to make the necessary preparations.”

Health bosses have wel- comed the move.

Lesley Jones, deputy director of public health at NHS Bolton, said: “We welcome any move that will take away the tempta- tion for people to smoke. Putting tobacco out of sight and out of mind is a good way to achieve this.”

For further information call 01204 336586.