slr p4,5,6,7 news feb2010.qxp 28/01/2010 18:59 Page 5
news
Tobacco display ban approved
The Scottish Parliament has smoking, there were better ways impact on young people smoking. suggests that a ban on the display
overwhelmingly voted in favour of of achieving it than banning the Amal Pramanik, general of tobacco will seriously
a tobacco display ban. A vote on display of tobacco in small shops. manager of Imperial Tobacco UK, exacerbate the problem of
the Tobacco and Primary Medical Drummond said: “The evidence called the ban a “symbolic smuggled and counterfeit
Services Bill went 108-14 in the that a display ban affects smoking gesture. “It will cause real product.”
Government’s favour, meaning a rates is weak.” hardship for retailers for no JTI added that the ban would
display ban will now be Drummond also said he was discernible benefit. This restrict lawful activities by making
implemented across Scotland by concerned that it was still unclear legislation will accelerate the illicit illicit tobacco products easier to
2013. Retailers selling tobacco from the draft regulations and the trade in tobacco products. The distribute. Daniel Torras, MD of
products will also have to sign up Bill how retailers should store latest evidence from Ireland, JTI UK, described the Bill as a
to a registration scheme. tobacco in order to comply with where a display ban has been in “Smugglers’ Charter” for
Scotland’s retailers will see the the display ban. place for six months, strongly Scotland.
vote as a huge blow, thanks to the “The technical challenges in
lack of irrefutable evidence a fitting a solution to existing units
display ban would reduce the rate to meet the Ministers’ demands
of those taking up smoking. could be extremely challenging
Retailers will also have to cover and prohibitively expensive for
the costs of implementation, small retailers,” he said.
which has been estimated to cost He added that the ban may
as much as £1,500. actually increase young people’s
John Drummond, chief fascination in tobacco.
executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Imperial Tobacco has stated
Federation (SGF), has expressed that Scottish Government has
disappointment saying that while ignored the abundant evidence
he agreed that young people that banning tobacco displays and Retailers will have to have tobacco displays covered up by 2013
should be discouraged from vending machines will have no
Tennent’s boss backs
NFRN angered
by Robison’s
minimum pricing plan
tobacco
misquotes
The boss of Scotland’s leading then go out into pubs and clubs and low-grade spirits sought out The
lager brand has declared his and get into difficulties,” he by problem drinkers.” National
support for the SNP’s plans to added. “We believe that, if Minimum pricing has found Federation
introduce minimum pricing as implemented appropriately, little political support and looks of Retail
part of a wider solution to minimum pricing could be part of set to be defeated in a Holyrood Newsagents
Scotland’s difficult relationship the solution by increasing the vote. In Westminster, the Health (NFRN) has
with alcohol. price of alcohol, particularly of Select Committee has reacted
Mike Lees, MD of the C&C- high strength products and is one recommended to the Government angrily to
owned Tennent Caledonian way of addressing the alcohol that minimum pricing be comments Shona Robison
Breweries, has claimed that abuse issues that we face in introduced (see p26). made by
minimum pricing could be “part Scotland. Consequently, Tennent’s Other drinks companies oppose Public Health Minister Shona
of the solution” for dealing with supports the proposals to the plans and many say it would Robison. Robison claimed that in
Scotland’s alcohol misuse introduce minimum pricing so penalise moderate drinkers. the wake of the impending
problem. long as the measures proposed tobacco display ban, the cost of
“As Scotland’s leading brewer, are fair, proportionate and part of gantry modification in Scotland
Tennent’s recognises its duty to an overall programme to reduce will be “as little as £20”, with
act responsibly and has always the abuse of alcohol.” NFRN quoted as the source.
encouraged people to drink Health Secretary Nicola NFRN president Suleman
responsibly. Tennent’s has a Sturgeon welcomed the Khonat said: “We strongly object
strong commitment to Scotland announcement: “Tennent’s to Robison’s assertion and point
and welcomes sensible moves to backing shows that responsible out that this is the second time
ensure alcohol is enjoyed producers have nothing to fear the Minister has misquoted us.
appropriately,” said Lees. from the proposal. That’s because “We anticipate the cost to
“There is an issue with a small they understand that minimum retailers to be about £1,500. This
group of consumers who pricing will not raise the price of takes into account that the
purchase cheap alcohol in bulk, all drinks – only the dirt-cheap Mike Lees modifications required are
drink excessively at home and supermarket white ciders, lagers substantial and complex.”
WWW.55NORTH.COM FEBRUARY 2010 l SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILER l 5
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