ACS

Government plans for a tobacco display ban in England have been thrown into confusion following legal proceedings brought by major companies supplying tobacco in the UK. In reaction ACS has written to Ministers calling on them to delay the planned implementation dates as the prolonged uncertainty makes it impossible for retailers to prepare for the changeover of thousands of shops to the new regulations.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Local shops will suffer most from the confusion created by this legal uncertainty. The timeframes for implementation were already tight and now every one of the 60,000 plus shops selling tobacco in the UK will have to put their plans on hold. If the ban eventually gets the go ahead the additional time pressure will cause major disruption and skyrocketing costs.

“The implementation dates proposed are now wholly unrealistic and must be pushed back by at least a year.”

The ban which is due to come into force on the 1st October 2011 for large stores and 1st October 2013 for smaller stores has been widely criticised for being unnecessary and likely to bring cost and disruption to retailers, staff and customers.

ACS will consider what action to take in respect of the legal action itself. Mr Lowman continued: “Local shops oppose the display ban which will be disruptive and costly and is not based on credible evidence. We have not sought to take legal action on this issue ourselves, but we are considering our options. Our members face the biggest burdens if the ban goes ahead and we have a responsibility to ensure that local shop concerns are properly considered by the Court.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan, Public Affairs Director
01252 533009 / 07921 372978

Chris Noice, Communications Assistant
01252 533013

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. The ban on the retail display of tobacco was passed in the Heath Act 2009, and is implemented by regulations laid before Parliament in March and April 2010

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100445_en_1- display
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100446_en_1- specialist tobacconists
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100864_en_1- vending
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100863_en_1- price lists

3. Applications for Judicial Review have been launched by Japan Tobacco International and British American Tobacco.