The plans, which are likely to affect corner shops and convenience stores ,will see cigarettes kept under the counter or in a back room. Packets of ten cigarettes will also be banned in a measure to help discourage under-age people from taking up the habit, as reported by The Scotsman.

A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland said that the plans could force many shop owners to fork out on re-designing their shops when their tobacco is already sold securely.