CORNER shops are banding together to fight the Scottish Government's proposed ban on cigarette displays.
Members of the Tobacco Retailers Alliance will lobby MSPs at Holyrood tonight, arguing that forcing them to hide tobacco products from public view will be expensive and could even force some shops out of business.
They claim a ban on cigarette dis
plays in Iceland in 2001 led to a collapse in turnover in small stores but no change in the number of 15-to-19 year olds smoking.
The retailers insist they fully support the Government's drive to reduce smoking among young people, but claim there are more effective options available, including cracking down on the black market, more rigorous enforcement of the existing law against selling tobacco to minors and making it illegal for adults to buy tobacco for young people.
Arshad Ahmed has had his news and tobacco shop opposite the former Odeon cinema in Clerk Street for 16 years, but fears he could be forced out of business by the proposed display ban.
He said 65 per cent of his business was cigarettes.
He has a display gantry two metres long with eight shelves, packed full of cigarettes, which would have to come down if the ban was introduced.
"I don't know where I would put them all," he said. "The counter is not very big, there's not enough space.
"We would have to build a new unit or counter, which would be expensive, and if we can't make money out of it we might have to pack up."
Abdul Qadar, who runs a small shop in Slateford Road, said: "Who is going to foot the bill for any alterations we have to make to comply with the legislation? In the current climate we're not exactly raking it in.
"The display gantries are often provided free by the tobacco companies and their brand has to be given prominence. If we're having to hide the cigarettes under the counter I don't think they will be forthcoming in paying the £2500-£3000 for each store to have alternative storage."
He claimed the ban could also leave small shops more vulnerable to shoplifting.
He said: "At the moment, we have a tobacco display behind us and we can easily grab a packet and sell it. But if we are having to rummage around under a counter, it means people can come in and help themselves to everything else while we're not looking.
"The ministers who come up with these brilliant ideas should come and stand behind the counter and see what is entailed in the system and they might have second thoughts."
The display ban will be included in the Health Bill due to be put before the Scottish Parliament early next year.
The Scottish Government said it had been engaging with retailers at all stages of the developments.
Public Health Minister, Shona Robison, said: "Point-of-sale display is clearly being used as a promotional tool. The protection of children and young people from the impact of tobacco must be paramount and there are instances – and this is one – when the benefits to public health of the nation must take precedence."
