Archives
SGF Fights on Against Tobacco Display Ban
24 September 2009
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) will continue its campaign for common sense on the tobacco display ban despite the majority of MSPs supporting the general principles of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of the SGF, said:
“It is disappointing that so many MSPs support the introduction of a display ban despite the flimsy evidence it will make a difference to youth smoking.
“We believe MSPs should exercise their judgement on the merits of the evidence. SGF will continue to make the case to MSPs that the cost of the display ban, imposed on retailers at the worst possible time, is being pushed through in the face of weak evidence.”
The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill will now return to the Health and Sport Committee for Stage 2 consideration when the Committee considers amendments to the Bill. SGF has been urging retailers to make their voice heard to their local MSPs.
John Drummond said;
“Retailers can still make a difference by writing to their MSP stating the simple case that the convenience store sector has been making since the Bill was introduced: that there is no evidence for the benefits of a display ban, yet the costs to retailers would be significant.”
Tobacco Report Echoes SGF Call for Proxy Purchasing to be Criminalised
14 September 2009
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee recommendation to criminalise the proxy purchasing of tobacco but believes the Scottish Government must go further and make it an offence for an under 18 year old to attempt to purchase tobacco. However, the recommendation to ban the display of tobacco is wrong and will be damaging to small shops.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation said,
“The single most likely way for a young person to get hold of cigarettes is through an adult. Currently there is no legal deterrent to adults who supply tobacco for young people. Moves to criminalising proxy purchasing, as suggested in the Stage One Report on the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill, would be welcome. Proxy purchasing tobacco for young people is immoral and should be illegal.
“It is clearly wrong for an under 18 to attempt to deceive a retailer and obtain a product that they are not old enough to consume. SGF believes it should be illegal and would encourage the Scottish Government to have parity with alcohol on this issue.
“We are extremely disappointed the Committee has recommended a ban on the display of tobacco despite their own admission that the international evidence to support this measure is inconclusive. SGF has repeatedly made the argument that regulations should only be made when they are supported by compelling evidence. A display ban will impose a significant burden on retailers at a time when they can least afford it.”
Alcohol Bill Must be Put on Hold
3 September 2009
SGF (Scottish Grocers’ Federation) believes plans for new legislation on alcohol, outlined by the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, in his statement on the Scottish Government’s Programme for the year ahead, should be put on hold following the recent chaos surrounding the full implementation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.
SGF Chief Executive John Drummond said:
“The convenience store sector in Scotland invested millions of pounds to ensure they complied with the regulations included in the new Act. However, retailers are still waiting for licensing boards to issue personal and premises licences despite some applications being made as far back as April 2008.
“It has been apparent for some months that many licensing boards where in disarray over the issuing of licences and policy relating to off trade promotions. Requests made by SGF for the Scottish Government to intervene and end major uncertainty by issuing unambiguous guidelines to the Boards were steadfastly refused, adding to the turmoil.”
“We are all aware that Scotland has a complex relationship with alcohol which must change. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to achieve this, however, the First Minister must allow time for businesses to adjust to the new licensing regime before introducing further changes which we believe are unfair and unworkable and will increase the burden of regulation and costs for legitimate responsible businesses.”
Scottish Grocers Federation