Tobacco display ban risk

SMALL businesses in Oldham will be hit hard by a ban on the display of tobacco products in shops, campaigners have warned.

Industry representatives claim that hiding packets of cigarettes from view will do little to discourage people from smoking but will hammer small retailers, particularly in the current economic climate.

Politicians have also backed a motion raising concerns about the changes to regulations, which are expected to be announced next week.

More than 100 MPs, including Rochdale MP Paul Rowen supported the calls for any restrictions on tobacco display to be balanced, proportionate and firmly evidence-based.

Pre-recession estimates warned that 2,600 businesses across the UK would cease to be profitable, causing the loss of around 8,000 jobs because around one third of the income of small retailers comes from tobacco sales.

Mr Rowen said: “I think in this economic climate we need to find some form of compromise. We have to have a sensible way forward. I accept we have to be aware of health issues but compromise is needed as they will still be sold.”

Ken Patel, national spokesman for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance, claims the cost of complying with the ban would cost between £2,000 and £5,000 per shop and would lead to an increase in the tobacco black market.

He added: “We welcome the growing support small retailers are getting from MPs across the country and are encouraged that the argument is going our way.

“The Government has said that it wants to help small and medium-sized businesses in these very difficult times.

“Next week’s announcement will be the acid test – do they mean what they say about helping small businesses or is it all hot air?

“If they are serious about supporting small shops, they will throw out this unnecessary proposal and come up with better alternatives.”