The tobacco display ban, announced this week by the government, will do little to stop youngsters from smoking and plays into the hands of smugglers, it has been claimed.
According to the Rural Shops Alliance (RSA), the displays are a “minor factor” in persuading young people to take up the habit, and other influences on them are greater.
Chief executive Ken Parsons argued this ban is an “easy way” for the government to intervene, even though smuggled cigarettes account for 20% of all sales.
He said: “The display ban proposals will result in considerable additional cost and disruption for retailers, their staff and for customers.
“The RSA fears that its 8,000 retail members and thus their communities will be hit hard as a result of the display ban.”
Further criticism of the proposals, which will not take effect until 2011, has come from this week from the Association of Convenience Stores.
Parsons added: “The evidence shows that young people smoke because of the example of adults and peer pressure.
“Smoking today by young people is very closely correlated with use of illegal drugs, solvent abuse and getting drunk.”
The main target for the government should be smugglers who operate on the black market, he said.
Japan Tobacco International agreed and said that there are better ways to try and stop young people drinking.
Regional president for the UK and Ireland Eddy Pirard: “The Department of Health and its consultation exercise have, quite simply, failed to produce evidence which justifies the proposed ban.
“The proposals will be counterproductive and have unintended consequences on competition and on the illicit trade of tobacco.”
Research carried out by TalkingRetail.com has found most shoppers are unfazed by the presence of tobacco in supermarkets.
