ACS

ACS has responded to the publication of the consultation into next steps in tobacco control. The Consultation asks for views on all aspects of tobacco control, although they also seek views on two specific proposals that they may give priority to this year.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Policy gimmicks like a display ban will cost retailers millions and the rationale for its benefits is sketchy and selective.”

The issues the Government is seeking views on include:

• tackling illicit trade in tobacco
• a ban or restrictions on display of tobacco products in shops
• banning or restricting use of vending machines
• requiring tobacco be sold in plain packaging
• banning packets of ten

The Government has undertaken regulatory impact assessments (RIA) on two of these measures a ban on tobacco displays and on vending machines. RIAs are required for any measures Government is planning to introduce, the use of RIA is a sign that the Government is minded to bring in new legislation in these two areas.

Mr Lowman continued: “We are very concerned that whilst the Department of Health have positioned this as a wide ranging review, their focus on two limited and specific measures risks missing the opportunity to bring in measures that will make a real difference.

“We believe that top of the list should be a new law making it illegal for an adult to buy tobacco on behalf of an under 18. A retailer who makes a mistake and sells tobacco to an underage person faces severe sanctions; the adult that knowingly facilitates children smoking faces no sanction. That is a crazy situation. If the Government fails to tackle this they will be ignoring the single most likely way in which underage people get hold of tobacco.

“We also want to see the Government take action against the street vendors and black marketers who make millions of pounds every week selling smuggled and counterfeit products on our streets. As it stands this crime is not tackled effectively enough and we need tougher penalties and a proper enforcement budget.

“Both of these measures would be far more effective in tackling youth smoking than a display ban. We estimate that the cost for retailers of refitting their stores to comply with a display ban could be as high as £252 million pounds and we have still not seen any evidence that this prevents underage smoking. We will be making our case strongly as part of the consultation process.”