Feature: Britain introduces ban on display of tobacco, cigarettes in small stores
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E-mail Xinhua, April 9, 2015
Britain has stepped up its campaign to restrict the sale of tobacco and cigarettes with a ban on the display of tobacco products in small shops.
The ban came into force on Monday, and affects retailers in small shops, often called "corner shops", and smaller supermarkets and convenience stores which must now house their cigarettes and tobacco in cupboards, hiding the branding placed on cigarette packets.
The ban, which is part of the Health Act introduced in 2012, complements a similar prohibition on the display of tobacco products in larger supermarkets and stores which was introduced that year.
The latest ban will also affect pubs, clubs and bars, and was delayed to allow smaller retailers time to ready themselves for it.
The aim of the ban is to deter young people from taking up smoking. Figures from anti-smoking organizations show that as many as two thirds of smokers start smoking before they pass the age of 18.
Prof. Ann McNeill, of King's College in London, was the co-author of a report which examined the effect of tobacco displays in retail areas.
The 2012 report noted: "Previous studies have shown that point of sale tobacco displays are carefully managed by the tobacco industry and that exposure stimulates unplanned purchases of cigarettes by smokers, undermines quitting and is associated with adolescent smoking."
The British government's department of health said ahead of the initial 2012 ban that evidence showed cigarette displays "encourage young people to start smoking," while covering the displays would deter them and "help support adults who are trying to quit."
However, Mike Goodall, a spokesman for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance which has 26,000 members, told Xinhua, "This is typical of the poor legislation that has been brought in with no real evidence that it will achieve what it purports to achieve. One of the consequences for smaller retailers is additional expense."
There would also be delays caused as customers would take longer to choose their cigarettes.
"This will be a big headache for smaller stores because they trade on convenience," said Goodall.
David Tudor, an assistant at Low Cost Store in south London, said a new cupboard had had to be installed in the shop to meet the law. He added, "It doesn't seem to have had any effect yet on sales, but it is a little bit more awkward than it was before."
Smokers appeared not to be bothered by the new ban. Tom Border, aged 35, from south London, said he had already noticed the display ban in larger supermarkets and it had had no effect on him.
"I will keep on smoking the brand I like," he said.
Another smoker, a 39-year-old woman who asked not to give her name, said that the ban was a good idea but would not affect her. "It makes no difference for me," she said. Endit
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