The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reiterated its call for the Welsh Government to review the decision to implement a tobacco display ban.
The Welsh Assembly Government has been consulting on the draft regulations on how the ban will be implemented in Wales, with a view to introduce a ban October 2011 for large retailers and October 2013 for small retailers.
ACS chief executive James Lowman, said: “The evidence to support a ban on tobacco display simply is not there. Indeed the latest figures from Canada, which has had the display ban in place for many years, has shown an increase in youth smoking rates. Ireland, where the ban was introduced last year, has also seen an increase in smoking rates.
“Introducing a display ban will cost Welsh retailers a significant amount of money and the evidence shows it will not be effective. Government need to use this opportunity to rethink the ban.”
Source: ACS
