Local government must do more to ensure that illegal sales of tobacco are minimised, one Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) representative has said.
Director of public affairs Shane Brennan said more needs to be done to stamp out the selling of illegal products on British streets.
And he suggested that the proposed ban of displaying tobacco in retail outlets will not work because this could result in shopkeepers losing money in the form of changeover costs.
Moreover, Brennan remarked that it is an “ongoing” challenge to try and see that tobacco is not being sold to people underage in shops and supermarkets.
“The most recent test purchasing results showed that there was a 19% failure rate for test purchases – this is far too many and we can do better,” he commented.
Proper resources should be channelled into ensuring that tobacco is no longer sold illegally, he added.
A wave of criticism has been witnessed following the government proposals that could see cigarettes removed from display in retail stores.
Organisations from the Scottish Grocers’ Federation to Imperial Tobacco’s Gareth Davies and the Rural Shops Alliance have uttered their reservations about the possible development.
