Should cigarettes be banned from view in shops?

A proposal to hide cigarettes from public view in Jersey could harm small businesses.

That's according to the Chamber of Commerce who say tobacco sales make up 20% of trade in some shops and pubs.

The news comes after Jersey's Health Department launched a public consultation on whether to ban retailers from displaying tobacco products. (from CTV)

any views on this...

It's a case of whether hiding any class of goods would really remove the temptation from those that would otherwise buy them, and it has to be assumed that 'those' referred to are children.

Are we to believe children decide to smoke because of the marketing displays in shops?

Personally I don't buy into this argument, children want to smoke because it's deemed cool amongst their peer group. If we really want to ban smoking then why not just ban it completely? If however we want to allow adults to make up their own minds then hiding goods away isn't the way to do it.

Why not remove all branding completely and only allow their sale in plain white boxes, take away the status of a particular brand. Don't allow duty-free imports, and when a child is seen to be smoking confiscate any cigarettes they have, and pursue those that supplied them to a child.

The proposals are just another half-arsed reaction to give the impression of action.

Crazy stuff so what next hide booze in case an alcoholic might see the display or hide chocolate stand in case an chocoholic sees it .

There are to many people out there with naff all to do !

Cigs being promoted in thailand shops have been banned for several years not sure what it achieves,if you want to buy cigs you just go in and ask,they are behind a white frontage with no adverts.

I suppose its better not to show the kids of today than to show.