cigarette sales to go under the counter

Tobacco products will be barred from display in shops despite fears it could hit small stores during the economic downturn.The
new restrictions come after an extensive consultation on measures to
reduce the number of children who take up smoking and helping those
already addicted to quit.But ministers will not go as far as
recommending all cigarette packaging be plain with only the brand name
and health warnings printed on them. Sales from vending
machines will also be restricted as research has shown children can buy
cigarettes from them easily even though they are supposed to be in
places where shops owners and pub landlords can supervise them.Experts
are keen to build on the success of the ban on smoking in public
places, introduced in England in July 2007, and the increase in the
legal age to buy tobacco to 18.The main opponents have been
concerned at the impact on small businesses during the downturn and a
surge in illegal tobacco smuggling into the UK.Last night a
Business Department source said: "We know that business has been
resisting this but there are times when the consumer's interest must
outweigh that. We believe the public are with us on this move."We have asked smokers' views on this too. There is no doubt that the vast majority want to quit."It
was reported last month that Business Secretary Peter Mandelson was
attempting to block the moves because of the effect on small newsagents
and corner shops which rely on cigarette sales for up to a fifth of
their custom.Research has shown that children recognise many
brands of cigarettes and prominent displays of products helps to
reinforce their familiarisation which influences them to take up
smoking. A study in California found children aged between 11 and 14
were 50 per cent more likely to smoke if they had been exposed to
tobacco marketing in corner shops.Shelves full of cigarettes
also lure those trying to quit smoking into buying more packets or
tempted those trying to quit to buy them, the Department of Health
consultation said.Almost a third of smokers thought removing cigarette displays would help them to give up.The products will not necessarily have to be placed under the counter but should not be visible, ministers will say today. It could mean that cigarette packets are covered, placed in a cupboard or a back room.Launching
the consultation in April, health minister Dawn Primarolo said: "It's
vital we get across the message to children that smoking is bad. If
that means stripping out vending machines or removing cigarettes from
behind the counter, I'm willing to do that."Children who smoke are putting their lives at risk and are more likely to die of cancer than people who start smoking later."Other
countries have already banned the display of tobacco at the point of
sale or are planning to do so including Iceland, Thailand, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and Norway.Latest figures show 22 per
cent of adults smoke in England, which is down by 1.9m since 1998, and
the Government is on target to reduce this to 21 per cent by 2010.However almost 30 per cent of those in routine and manual jobs still smoke and rates are not dropping in this group as fast.Smoking
is one of the leading causes of early death and accounts for 87,000
deaths in England each year and smoking related illness costs the NHS
£1.5bn a year to treat.Among children nine per cent of 11 to
15-year-olds smoke regularly, rising to one fifth of teenagers aged 16
to 19. More than three in ten 20 to 24 year olds smoke, which is the
highest of any age group.



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