IT is an issue that has divided opinion almost as dramatically as the subject of a tram network in the Capital. The contentious decision taken this week to ban tobacco displays in shops across England and Wales has sparked fear among small independent businesses, who say they cannot afford to lose trade or make the required changes to their shops, particularly during the current economic crisis.
There are also fears that similar legislation in Scotland, due to go before parliament next year as part of the Government's Smoking Prevention Action Plan, will force many smaller retailers out of business.
Health groups in favour of the move po
int to evidence that banning point-of-sale displays at shops abroad has led to a reduction in the number of youths taking up smoking.
In Westminster last week, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced a ban on tobacco displays at shops in the hope that teenage smoking rates would fall here too.
But Tuesday's announcement has provoked storms of protest from shopkeepers, who argue it will cost them much-needed business during the economic crisis.
Leaders of their umbrella group, the Scottish Grocers' Federation, fear that at least 250 newsagents across Scotland could be forced to the wall over the next few years if a change in law is made north of the Border.
Chief executive of the SGF, John Drummond, said the decision was "a step too far" and would result in a significant and damaging cost to the convenience store sector.
He said: "Compliance with a tobacco display ban will place a significant financial burden on small retailers.
"SGF estimates that convenience store retailers in Scotland can expect to pay a minimum of £5000 to modify their shop, which does not take into consideration the loss of trade during a changeover.
"Creeping costs and additional regulations during a recession will place many small shops at risk of closure."
Chris Ogden, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, is naturally opposed to the move. He said "Tobacco display bans are not supported by robust evidence, will not achieve the stated public health benefit and will have serious unintended consequences.
"A ban on the display of products will also blur the distinction between the legal and illegal market by virtue of it all being 'out of sight' and will play into the hands of criminals trying to infiltrate the retail network. Smuggling continues to account for up to 17 per cent of cigarette and 59 per cent of handrolling tobacco consumption, resulting in a loss of up to £3.1 billion to HM Treasury."
However, Mr Johnson disputes the potential cost to traders, citing evidence from Canada suggesting that the cost of refitting stores could be as low as £550 per shop.
And the Department of Health said evidence from abroad where similar bans had been introduced showed that under-age smoking rates had been cut by as much as ten per cent, with no retailers forced to close as a result of the change.
More than 96,000 responses were received to the Department of Health's consultation on the future of tobacco control – the largest response ever to a consultation of its kind. Eighty-four per cent supported removing tobacco displays in shops.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland, said: "Point-of-sale displays have been removed in a number of countries including Canada, where they saw a fall in smoking prevalence rates amongst 15 to 19-year-olds, from 29 per cent in 2002 to 19 per cent in 2007."
Ms Duffy stressed people were being bombarded by tobacco branding on entering shops, particularly youngsters. "It's one of the last loopholes in the tobacco advertising ban," she said. "There is strong evidence that young people notice such advertising more and are more influenced by it than adults.
There is no evidence from Iceland or Canada of stores closing as a result of removing cigarette displays."
However, Mr Drummond argues that in Iceland, where tobacco displays were banned from shops in 2001, youth smoking remained at the same levels and in parts of Canada, it even increased following display bans.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "We are committed to doing all we can to reduce smoking rates in Scotland – both by encouraging more smokers to quit and discouraging young people from starting.
"In our Smoking Prevention Action Plan, published in May, we signalled our intention to remove cigarettes from open display in shops.
"We are currently taking this forward in consultation with the industry. Next year, we will introduce the Health Bill, which will detail our proposals to continue our drive to make Scotland smoke-free.
"While England is about to consult on proposed legislation, we have already concluded our consultation and are currently developing the legislation that will be introduced next year."
In England and Wales the regulations are expected to come into force from October 2011 for larger shops, and 2013 for smaller businesses.
Tobacco is responsible for a quarter of adult deaths in Scotland every year.
The full article contains 852 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
