ACS criticises Government tobacco proposals

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Policy gimmicks like a display ban will cost retailers millions and the rationale for its benefits is sketchy and selective.”

The Government has undertaken regulatory impact assessments (RIA) on two measures a ban on tobacco displays and on vending machines.

ACS said RIAs are required for any measures Government is planning to introduce, the use of RIA is a sign that the Government is minded to bring in new legislation in these two areas.

Lowman said: “We are very concerned that whilst the Department of Health have positioned this as a wide ranging review, their focus on two limited and specific measures risks missing the opportunity to bring in measures that will make a real difference.

“We believe that top of the list should be a new law making it illegal for an adult to buy tobacco on behalf of an under 18. A retailer who makes a mistake and sells tobacco to an underage person faces severe sanctions; the adult that knowingly facilitates children smoking faces no sanction. That is a crazy situation.

"If the Government fails to tackle this they will be ignoring the single most likely way in which underage people get hold of tobacco.

“We also want to see the Government take action against the street vendors and black marketers who make millions of pounds every week selling smuggled and counterfeit products on our streets. As it stands this crime is not tackled effectively."