A ban on tobacco displays in shops could cause more than three-quarters of Britain’s corner shops to close, claims a new survey.
The study by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance (TRA) found that 77% of corner shopkeepers believe a ban on tobacco displays in shops could directly threaten the viability of their business.
The Tobacco Retailers Alliance represents 26,000 independent shopkeepers across the UK and is funded by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association.
It also found that 90% of retailers feel the Government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.
Ken Patel, national spokesman for the TRA and a shopkeeper in Leicester said: “This survey demonstrates what we retailers have been saying for months: a ban on tobacco displays will put many independent shopkeepers out of business.
“That’s just what has happened in Canada where 23 convenience stores in Ontario and 12 in Quebec closed every week after bans were introduced there.
“The Government want to ban displays to reduce youth smoking, but the evidence from Canada shows that youth smoking levels went down more and faster in provinces where tobacco was still on display than those provinces where tobacco displays were banned.
“There is no evidence that a ban on displays reduces youth smoking and that is why New Zealand recently abandoned proposals to introduce a ban.”
The survey also found that three in five retailers (58%) were aware of adults buying tobacco legally in their shops to give to under 18s.
John Abbott, a shopkeeper in Darlington, said: “If the Government is serious about tackling youth smoking, then it should not be wasting time on unproven gimmicks like banning tobacco displays as it is preposterous to state that young people take up smoking because they see it on display in shops. They start smoking because they want to look older or because of peer pressure.
“Instead of banning displays, the Government should be making it illegal for adults to buy tobacco on behalf of those under 18. MPs don’t need telling there will be an election within the next 12 months and if they go ahead with this ban, it is going to cost them votes.”
Fiona Barrett, a shopkeeper in Glasgow, commented: “Retailers like me are a vital part of our local communities. We need the Government to work with us rather than against us so that we can continue to remain viable.
“Shops like mine rely on selling tobacco and anything that impairs my ability to sell it is bad for the whole business. It will not be long before many corner stores disappear from Britain’s streets entirely.”
