A LAW which could ban shops from displaying cigarettes could spell disaster for newsagents, it is claimed.

The legislation, which means tobacco will have to be sold from under the counter, could be the end of the local shop, says Huddersfield newsagent Clr Mohammed Sarwar.

Clr Sarwar, who owns Fair Price on Newsome Road, Newsome, says his business is already suffering from supermarket competition and sellers of illegally-imported cigarettes.

The councillor for the Crosland Moor and Netherton ward believes smokers will simply leave tobacconists without asking for their favourite fags if they cannot find them on display.

Newsagents may suffer a double blow in having to spend up to thousands of pounds on new stands to store tobacco under the counter.

The Government is consulting the public and store owners over the proposed law.

It is examining a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales, including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in “pride of place’’ on their shelves.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.

She added: “Protecting children from smoking is a Government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this.

“If banning brightly-coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do. But we want to hear everyone's views first.”

Clr Sarwar said: “It will really affect our business. 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.

“I’d also have to spend a few thousand pounds on a new stand under the counter.

“It’s ridiculous and I wish the Government would stop messing.”

Jonathan Hart of The Tobacco Retailers’ Alliance, a coalition of 16,000 independent retailers, said: “There is no evidence that a ban on displaying cigarettes has any effect.

“When you go to purchase cigarettes it isn’t an impulse buy. People don’t take up smoking because they like the look of the packet.”