Government tobacco u-turn draws criticism
10 March 2011 10:01
"As the Conservatives themselves argued in Westminster while leading the opposition against the ban, all independent evidence shows that the measure fails to reduce levels of smoking and transfers market share from independents to supermarkets. The regulations therefore fail on both a health and business basis.
"Any announcement to delay implementation is little more than a stay of execution for small business and fails to address any of the arguments that retailers have put to their MPs and ministers. No small business impact assessment has been done. The measure will leave independent shopkeepers more vulnerable to crime and cost small businesses in the UK alone £33 million to implement for no public health gain."
However health charities said they were "delighted" with the announcement and renewed calls for plain packaging to complement the measures.
Ash (Action on Smoking and Health) chief executive Deborah Arnott said: "Although disappointed at the delay we're delighted that the Government has refused to cave in to tobacco industry lobbying for the repeal of the tobacco display legislation.
"We are delighted that this Government is putting us on track to be the first European country to put tobacco in plain packs. This is an essential next step in protecting young people from the insidious marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
Our research shows that this measure will have widespread public support."
Cancer Research UK chief executive Harpal Kumar said: "We are very disappointed that there is going to be such a delay in the removal of tobacco displays in small shops.
"We must never forget that every day 400 children start smoking. Our young people will be exposed to persuasive tobacco marketing for two years longer than necessary.
However, it is positive that the Government will still remove cigarette vending machines as planned.
"Like smokefree laws and the ban on tobacco advertising, plain packaging would be a giant leap forward in protecting public health. Research shows that plain packaging reduces false beliefs about how harmful different tobacco products are. We also know that plain packs are less attractive, especially to young people, and they make the health warnings on cigarette packets more effective."
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) described the measures as "a victory for public health".
BHF spokeswoman Betty McBride said: "The coalition Government has been under enormous pressure from a tobacco industry hell-bent on derailing important legislation banning tobacco displays in shops. Today is a victory for health campaigners and show of strength from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
"Though we're slightly disappointed the display ban is being delayed, it will help prevent the industry from marketing their products to children and will go a long way to helping young people avoid a lifetime of addiction and health problems.
"The introduction of plain packaging would complement the ban and signal the end of slick, colourful designs used as 'silent salesmen'.
"Before today's announcement, tobacco bosses have been keeping busy scaremongering retailers with claims that the display ban will see them facing an insurmountable financial burden. The evidence from the ban in Ireland disproves those claims and the changes the Government has made."
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