A SHOPKEEPER says Government plans to force shops to display cigarettes under the counter will ruin the family business.
Imran Ahmed is now appealing to customers to visit his Birkby shop and sign a petition against the move.
In December last year the Government announced its plans to make storing tobacco goods under the counter away from sight compulsory, in an attempt to curb under-age smoking.
Imran, 27, runs Poplar Stores on Poplar Street after taking over the business from father Iftikhar in 2000.
He told the Examiner that times were already hard for independent businesses because of the credit crunch, and banning cigarette displays would only make things harder.
“People who come in to the shop might think that we don’t sell their brand of cigarettes.
“About 40% of my trade is from cigarettes and a move like this would make life hard.
“I’m just hoping that more people will be aware of the problem and support our campaign.”
Imran is part of the ‘Save our Shop’ campaign set up by the Tobacco Retailers’ Alliance to urge the Government to rethink plans.
The initiative claims there is insufficient evidence to suggest that hiding cigarettes under the counter prevents underage smoking.
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, said: “Enticing multi-coloured displays encourage young people to start smoking – we must put a stop to this. Smoking is a habit which is hard to break and causes 87,000 deaths a year in England alone.
“Protecting children from smoking is our goal. My hope is that shops will use this opportunity to promote healthier goods to their customers.”
Cigarette display units have already been removed in outlets in a number of countries, including Canada.
