There is not enough evidence to suggest that the government’s tobacco display ban will cut have the desired public health benefits, opponents to today’s announcement said.
According to the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, the consumption of cigarettes has not been reduced in countries where displays are banned, including Canada and Iceland.
The organisation said the move, to ban tobacco displays in smaller stores from 2013, will also “play into the hands” of criminals as they will be able to infiltrate the retail network with smuggled cigarettes.
Chief executive Chris Ogden said: “Proof of age schemes should be better supported, the law on underage sales more strongly enforced and the government should crack down on the illegal trade in tobacco.
“We welcome sensible proposals that will assist in preventing the sale of tobacco to children under the age of 18, which are fair, balanced, proportionate and above all, evidence-based.”
The British Retail Consortium agreed and said the ban will be an inconvenience for consumers.
Director general Stephen Robertson said: “The government is right to try to stop children smoking but banning displays in shops is just not the way.
“It will impose thousands of pounds of pointless refit costs on stores, ultimately met by customers, and create delays and inconvenience for customers and staff.”
In September, Imperial Tobacco chief executive Gareth Davis said the ban would damage small retailers.
