Online Petition
Background
In Scotland the plan is that from 2010, all cigarettes, tobacco
and cigars must be hidden from public view by retailers. This
will apply to supermarkets, newsagents, corner shops, pubs and specialist
tobacconists. The retailer may supply you only with what you ask for;
they may not offer alternative brands if they don't stock
yours and they cannot offer any advice whatsoever. Specialist
tobacconists must clear all window displays, pipes, ashtrays and so on.
They too will be barred from offering advice on any
product they stock.
The intention is to leave the consumer with no simple means of
gleaning information on product availability, tar or nicotine ratings,
nor make on the spot price comparisons. This applies equally to pipes,
rolling tobacco and cigars.
Though vigorously opposed by Scottish retailers, it is included in the SNP legislative agenda for 2009.
England
Intends following suit, however the organisation "Responsible Retailers" has worked this through,
recognising the reason given (to avoid temptation for children and
minors) does not gel with the known fact that 95% of all youngsters
start smoking because of parents, peers and friends. They are also
aware the cost of compliance, roughly GBP 1,000 to GBP 5,000, will be too
much for some small retailers and, without the revenue from
tobacco sales, will sound the death knell of many.
They have organised an online petition and have asked for help. Given
the carnage witnessed with pubs, clubs, diners and the like, few of us,
smokers or not, will be anxious to see yet another community resource
nailed, especially when the reasons given are bogus. What they ask
for is:
Contact
your local MP and get him / her to pledge their support
by signing an Early Day Motion (EDM). Your MP will know
what that is, so simply ask them to sign the "Small shops and tobacco
displays" EDM, which is number 1904.
The hotline for Responsible Retailers is 0800 00
82 82, or e mail their
National Spokesman ken.patel@tobaccoalliance.org.uk
The petition is open to all British Citizens, including expatriates.
Because MP's from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can still vote
on issues that only concern England, residents of those regions
should contact their Westminster MP, as they can sign
off on the Early Day Motion.