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Three Quarters of Britain’s Corner Shops Could Close if Tobacco Displays Are Banned

- 90% of corner shopkeepers think Government has ignored their concerns

- National Spokesman comment

- Regional shopkeepers’ comments

- Corner shopkeepers available for interview

A new survey has found that 77% of corner shopkeepers believe a ban on tobacco displays in shops could directly threaten the viability of their business.  The findings come as MPs debate the display ban in the House of Commons.

The survey by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance – which represents 26,000 independent shopkeepers across the UK – also found that 90% of retailers feel the government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.

Ken Patel, National Spokesman for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance and a shopkeeper in Leicester said:

“This survey demonstrates what we retailers have been saying for months: a ban on tobacco displays will put many independent shopkeepers out of business. That’s just what has happened in Canada where 23 convenience stores in Ontario and 12 in Quebec closed every week after bans were introduced there. 

“The Government want to ban displays to reduce youth smoking, but the evidence from Canada shows that youth smoking levels went down more and faster in provinces where tobacco was still on display than those provinces where tobacco displays were banned. There is no evidence that a ban on displays reduces youth smoking and that is why New Zealand recently abandoned proposals to introduce a ban.”

The survey also found that three in five retailers (58%) were aware of adults buying tobacco legally in their shops to give to under 18s.

John Abbott, a shopkeeper in Darlington, commented:

“If the government is serious about tackling youth smoking, then it should not be wasting time on unproven gimmicks like banning tobacco displays as it is preposterous to state that young people take up smoking because they see it on display in shops. They start smoking because they want to look older or because of peer pressure. Instead of banning displays, the government should be making it illegal for adults to buy tobacco on behalf of those under 18. MPs don’t need telling there will be an election within the next 12 months and if they go ahead with this ban, it is going to cost them votes.”

Fiona Barrett, a shopkeeper in Glasgow, commented:

“Retailers like me are a vital part of our local communities. We need the Government to work with us rather than against us so that we can continue to remain viable. Shops like mine rely on selling tobacco and anything that impairs my ability to sell it is bad for the whole business. It will not be long before many corner stores disappear from Britain’s streets entirely.”

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For more information and to interview local shopkeepers, please contact Katherine Graham on 0800 008 282 / 07962 384 254 info@tobaccoretailersalliance.org.uk  or Jonathan Hart 0777 55 66 908

Notes to Editors

1.       The Tobacco Retailers Alliance is a coalition of 26,000 independent retailers who all sell tobacco products. For 26 years we have represented the rights of legitimate retailers to sell tobacco products in a legal and responsible way. The Tobacco Retailers Alliance offers free membership to any independent retailer who sells tobacco. The Tobacco Retailers Alliance is funded by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA.)

2.       The Economic Research Survey of 1,114 retailers, which was carried out by post during January and February 2009, was analysed by ORB (The Opinion Research Business).

3.       Key National findings are as follows:

·         Three quarters of Britain’s independent retailers (77%) believe that the display ban could directly threaten the viability of their business.

·         Nine in ten retailers (90%) feel the government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.

·         Three in five retailers (58%) are aware of adults in their shops legally buying tobacco for under 18s

·         Three quarters of retailers (76%) are concerned that the display ban would most likely displace trade to the black market 

·         Over half of retailers believe that the ban would increase retail crime (56%) or displace trade to large multiples (55%).

·         Two thirds (67%) are also concerned that the display ban would increase transaction times.

4.       The Tobacco Retailers Alliance recently produced a short film featuring corner shopkeepers voicing their concerns about the display ban. To see the film, please use the contact details above.

5.       The Conservative Party and more than 100 MPs, including 50 Labour backbenchers, have pledged their support for retailers on the threat to displays, recognising that such a move would place an unnecessary burden on small businesses while doing nothing to reduce youth smoking rates

Katherine Graham

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