Imperial Tobacco’s chief executive has attacked proposals to ban tobacco displays and packets of ten cigarettes as “anti-competitive”.
Gareth Davis told The Times the regulations proposed by the Department of Health, which also include plain packaging for cigarettes, would “hit small retailers”.
“How could a company launch a new brand of cigarettes? We have to allow adult smokers to make an informed decision,” he added.
Davis also dismissed the suggestion such regulations would negatively effect sales of Imperial’s tobacco products.
He said the focus should instead be on making sure existing legislation, such as the increase of the legal age to purchase tobacco from 16 to 18, is “properly enforced”.
The consultation into the regulation of tobacco closed yesterday.
