12 Jul 2007


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'Government must do more to protect retailers'

James Lowman

independent

The Government has come under fresh fire to do more to protect shopworkers from abuse and violence.

The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed Usdaw's annual Respect for Shopworkers Day, which highlights difficulties faced by retailers, but fear Government policy will continue to make their jobs harder and more dangerous.

An Early Day Motion in parliament has so far collected 93 signatures from MPs who have pledged their support to the campaign.

However, the ACS has slammed Government policy, such as the increase in the legal purchasing age for tobacco to 18, which will burden the retailer and will lead to confrontation with 16 and 17-year-olds who were previously allowed to buy cigarettes.

James Lowman, chief executive of ACS, said: “The increase in the legal purchasing age for tobacco to 18 will place a major burden on retailers and shopworkers.

“Overnight, many young people will not be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco.

"More action is needed now, so that people understand it is unacceptable to intimidate and abuse shopworkers, who are only trying to serve their community.”

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Anonymous	12 Jul 2007 12:47:26
I think the real issue here is that retailers are angry at the revenue they will lose when prohibited from selling tobacco products to 16 and 17 year olds. Maybe they would like the legal age for purchasing tobacco abolished altogether so that they don’t get beaten up by gangs of 11 year olds...