The 1996 London Newsstand Concealment Law was an amendment to existing UK legislation that required publications such as Hustler magazine to be sold from behind a screen or curtain at news stands where minors might see them. This law was enacted after years of pressure from activist groups who argued that these publications were harmful to children and encouraged sexual violence against women.
The law came into effect in January of 1996 after being passed in parliament the previous year. It applied to all news stands across England and Wales, requiring them to comply with the new regulations within one month. The law stipulated that any publication deemed "harmful" must be displayed from behind a screen or curtain and could only be viewed upon request from the news stand operator. This included not only magazines like Hustler but also any pornographic materials including videos, DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, books, posters, and other merchandise.
At the time of its passage, there were concerns about how this law would impact businesses and consumers alike. Many retailers felt it would negatively affect their sales since they would need additional staffing to manage displays and customers wouldn't be able to browse freely without seeing what was available. Consumers worried about having to ask permission before viewing material they had every right to purchase legally if they wished to do so.
Despite these initial concerns, the law has remained in place for more than two decades now and continues to protect young people from potentially damaging content while still allowing adults access to legal materials when desired. In fact, some experts argue that the law has been successful in reducing sexual violence among minors due to reduced exposure to violent imagery found in certain publications.
Overall, the 1996 London Newsstand Concealment Law is an important piece of legislation designed to protect children from harmful materials while still respecting the rights of adults who wish to access such material responsibly. While there have been complaints about inconvenience associated with the law over time, its benefits far outweigh any downsides as it seeks to create a safer environment for all citizens in England and Wales today.