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Shopkeepers’ Angry Reaction to new ASH Scotland campaign

Shopkeepers across Scotland have reacted angrily to a new campaign launched today by ASH Scotland, encouraging members of the public to pressure their local shopkeepers on the tobacco displays debate.

ASH Scotland said the campaign was aimed at ‘countering the efforts of the tobacco industry,’ but critics slammed the campaign as the latest move by ASH to dismiss the concerns of small shops over proposals which would force them to hide their tobacco out of sight.

Fiona Barrett, the Scottish Representative for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance, which represents 26,000 corner shopkeepers across the UK, said:

“It is very disappointing to see ASH Scotland launch a campaign which is encouraging customers to pressure and bully shopkeepers in this way. We completely condemn the use of tactics such as these which are an attempt to intimidate Scotland’s shopkeepers from campaigning against proposals which would be very detrimental to our businesses.

“ASH Scotland, which receives nearly a £1,000,000 of taxpayers’ money each year, has no remit orchestrating a bullying campaign against small businesses. This is a step too far and I’m surprised the Scottish Government, which funds ASH Scotland with our taxes, is allowing it to happen.

“Shopkeepers have campaigned against a display ban because it would be a major restriction on selling a product which accounts for one third of our trade. A display ban would hit small shops hard, displacing trade to supermarkets and causing us to lose footfall. Small shops who sell tobacco are not doing anything wrong – it is a legal product after all and your average newsagent or corner shop relies on selling it. ASH Scotland have no right to campaign against small businesses who are already struggling in a tough economic climate.

“For ASH Scotland to say that a display ban offers opportunities for retailers beggars the question why no retailers are backing a ban. They are not backing it because they know it won’t help them – in fact quite the opposite. It will cause many retailers to close entirely. If local people want to see the end of their corner shop and the convenience it brings to their own communities, then they may wish to follow this preposterous scare-mongering from ASH Scotland.

“Having said that, my customers don’t believe that the display of cigarettes in my shop causes people to take up smoking, and most think the proposed ban on display is idiotic anyway.”

A recent survey by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance found that 75% of corner shopkeepers in Scotland believe a ban on tobacco displays in shops could directly threaten the viability of their business.  The survey also found that 89% of retailers in Scotland feel the government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.

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For more information and to interview local shopkeepers, please contact Katherine Graham on 0800 008 282 / 07962 384 254 katherine.graham@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 across the UK (including 83 in Scotland) was carried out by post during January and February 2009 and was analysed by ORB (The Opinion Research Business)

3.       Key Scotland findings are as follows:

·         Three quarters of Scotland’s independent retailers (75%) believe that the display ban could directly threaten the viability of their business.

·         Nine in ten retailers (89%) feel the government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.

·         Three in five retailers (60%) are aware of adults in their shops legally buying tobacco for under 18s

·         Four in five retailers (81%) 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 (54%) or displace trade to large multiples (60%)

·         Two thirds (69%) are also concerned that the display ban would increase transaction times.

Katherine Graham

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