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Tobacco Display Ban – Draconian and Expensive
27 April 2010
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) is concerned Scottish Ministers are planning the most costly, disruptive and draconian tobacco display ban of its type in the world if they implement draft regulations published today.
The Scottish Government has published a consultation that sets out what a retailer would have to do to implement the new law banning tobacco displays. The Government will allow retailers an area approximately the size of a packet of cigarettes to be seen by a customer when they are being served tobacco. Regulations in England and proposed regulations in Wales allow 80 packets of cigarettes to be seen by a customer during a transaction.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said:
“The Minister has proposed regulations that are the most inflexible and draconian of their type anywhere in the world and will result in higher costs and greater disruption for retailers in Scotland compared with retailers throughout the rest of the UK.”
The Government is suggesting that the cost of refitting a medium-sized shop to comply with a display ban is estimated at £320.
John Drummond continued: “The technical challenges in fitting a solution to existing units that is robust enough to meet the Ministers’ demands could be insurmountable. It could result in retailers having to rip out and replace existing units resulting in an outlay far greater than the Scottish Government’s superficial estimate.
“The evidence that a display ban affects smoking rates is weak, but there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that a tiny permitted display area during transactions is necessary for the policy to succeed.
“SGF will make a strong case to the government that sets out how damaging their proposed approach to regulations is.”
Alcohol Bill Requires More Clarity
16 April 2010
The Scottish Grocer’s Federation (SGF) has welcomed the action taken by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee which has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing setting out serious concerns about elements of the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill.
Specifically, on minimum pricing, the Committee has noted the lack of the most up to date evidence (2008 data), the modelling of the impact on low income families, and the basis for the Scottish Government’s belief that a measure of minimum pricing would be legally compliant. On a social responsibility levy the Committee has “no clear evidence on the principles underpinning the levy”. The Committee have also written to the Presiding Officer to advise that “it cannot consider its draft report because of several issues that remain unresolved”, alerting him that a further extension to the deadline for consideration of stage 1 may be required.
John Drummond SGF Chief Executive said,
“In addition to the Committee raising concern regarding the lack of detail on a social responsibility levy, SGF believe the lack of detail provided within the Bill regarding restrictions on marketing of promotions could be very damaging for small shops. Despite making repeated requests to the Scottish Government to provide clarification on this issue we are still no further forward.
“Window bills and promotional leaflets represent the only realistic method of advertising the stores offer and value proposition. Restrictions in these areas will reduce the opportunity to attract customers and perpetuate a commercial advantage for the biggest players. “
Scottish Grocers Federation