Now smoking goes under the counter

Dec 15 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Evidence from abroad shows that under-age smoking rates have been cut by as much as 10% when cigarette displays are banned. But, as ANDREW BALDWIN reports, not all shopkeepers welcome such a ban in the UK

‘ Shops shouldn’t be selling cigarettes to the under 18s anyway’

SMALL shops are facing a £252m bill to comply with the Government's new tobacco display ban.

Retailers have reacted angrily to tough anti-smoking measures unveiled by Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

These include removing cigarette displays in shops and putting the stock under the counter instead – a move estimated to cost £5,000 per store.

The Association of Convenience Stores warned the display ban would lead to disruption at tens of thousands of retail businesses of all sizes.

The Government’s overhaul of laws on tobacco control is aimed at protecting children and young people from tobacco promotion.

Mr Johnson said shop displays encourage young people to start smoking and that future generations need to be protected from harm.

Some 200,000 11-15-year-olds are thought to be regular smokers.

The move to ban prominent displays of tobacco products and advertising at the point of sale has provoked storms of protest from shopkeepers, who argue it will cost them much-needed business during the economic crisis.

But Mr Johnson said that the ban will be introduced in supermarkets first and that corner shop owners would anyway have to “diversify” as smoking rates fall.

One Huddersfield newsagent reckons it could be the end of the local shop.

Mohammed Sarwar, a Labour councillor who owns Fair Price on Newsome Road, Newsome, spelled out his fears in August when he revealed his business was already suffering from supermarket competition and sellers of illegally-imported cigarettes.

He believes smokers will simply leave tobacconists without asking for their favourite fags if they cannot find them on display.

Clr Sarwar said: “We’re really in trouble because people are bringing cigarettes over from Europe. Some shops are even selling them under the counter.

“Newsagents are already struggling now that people are going on the internet to read the news. If we can’t display cigarettes it will be really bad for small businesses like mine.”

However, there are some shop owners who welcome the changes.

Kevin Ball, owner of Charlesworths newsagent in Holmfirth, said it would be good for people’s health, although sounding a note of caution about a possible loss in passing trade.

“I think you’ve got to work with the times and you’ve got to move forward. At the end of the day you can’t say anything against this if it is going to improve people’s health.

“We’ve just got to diversify into other lines. People aren’t going to smoke forever and in 50 years how many smokers are there going to be?

“I will sell more confectionery instead – cigarettes are the lowest profit margin in the business.”

There are mixed views out on the streets of Huddersfield town centre.

Stuart Holmes, 48, from Newsome, asked: “Why don’t they ban tobacco advertising on GP racing cars if they really want to do something to discourage smoking?”

Anthony Brown, 62, of Primrose Hill, said: “They should enforce the existing laws. Shops shouldn’t be selling cigarettes to the under 18s anyway.”

David Pratt, 62, who lives in Rastrick, said: “I wish I never got started on smoking. They’re bad for you and it took me a long time to give up.”

Evidence from abroad shows that under-age smoking rates have been cut by as much as 10% when displays are banned, while no retailers have been forced to close, says the Department of Health.

The Health Secretary said that the cost of changing shop layouts to accommodate the ban would not be “horrendous”, citing evidence from Canada suggesting it came to about £500 a shop.

Mr Johnson revealed that he had ditched a plan to ban the sale of cigarettes in packs of 10, which are thought to be within the range of pocket money purchasers. The consultation revealed concerns that this might erect a further obstacle for adults trying to cut down their intake.

He said: “This is primarily about children – 11 to 15-year-olds. Advertising has been removed from television, film and newspapers. The only point now where there is advertising is point-of-sale.

“Other countries have found when they banned point-of-sale displays, they reduced the number of young people taking up smoking.

Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “Removing cigarettes from point of sale is a step in the right direction in preventing smoking-related respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“But nearly three-quarters of people with lung disease tell us that they believe there should be a total ban on cigarette vending machines as they are the main source of cigarettes to young smokers.

“Smoking kills 120,000 people a year and is the cause of many chronic and severe long-term illnesses.”