A DRIVE to get smokers to quit the habit was launched by the Scottish Government today.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson will meet people who have successfully stubbed out the habit in Glasgow.

The launch, in Partick will encourage smokers to use the national help-line – Smokeline – to get advice on giving up.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has had to delay bringing in a ban on displaying tobacco in large stores after a legal challenge from cigarette giant Imperial Tobacco.

Legislation passed by Holyrood stated big shops would be prohibited from displaying tobacco and cigarettes in April this year.

However, ministers have now had to defer that and will announce a new date when the ban will come in force.

The Scottish Government also needs to notify the European Union (EU) of the revised regulations – including one specifying how much of the area where cigarettes are stored can be seen when a sale is made.

A ban on displaying tobacco in small shops will still come into force in 2015 as planned.

The display ban will make it an offence for shops to display tobacco or smoking-related products.

Retailers who flout the ban face a fixed penalty of £200, rising by £200 for each subsequent offence within a two-year period.

Mr Matheson said: "Banning the display of tobacco in shops is one of several bold and decisive measures being taken in Scotland to protect children and young people from the promotion of tobacco."

It had originally been proposed that only an area the size of one cigarette packet could be used when a sale was made, but Mr Matheson said: "We recognise some retailers had concerns about the practicalities of limiting the display size.

"We have listened and believe we have now struck an appropriate balance."

Anti-smoking campaigners and health groups back the display ban, with Vicky Crichton, Cancer Research UK's public affairs manager, stating: "Displaying cigarettes next to ordinary groceries can encourage young people to take up smoking."

sarah.swain@ eveningtimes.co.uk

'