Scotland: Spotlight on Tobacco advertising
Controversial Scottish Government proposals to ban tobacco displays in shops came under the microscope when public health minister Shona Robison visited Perth yesterday.
The MSP called in at Khalid Khurshid's Muirton Food Market on Dunkeld Road to discuss the plan. Although the proposal has come in for some stinging criticism, Mr Khurshid is among retailers supporting the proposals.
Meanwhile, health campaigners yesterday said smoking is a "childhood addiction" as they backed the Scottish Government plans aimed at curbing the number of youngsters taking up the habit. ASH Scotland said 15,000 young Scots start smoking every year.
The group's leaders argued that the proposed legislation could "help stop the advertising of tobacco to children."
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, spoke out ahead of MSPs debating the general principles of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill tomorrow. She said, "Smoking is a childhood addiction. Two-thirds of smokers become addicted under the age of 18, and 40% under the age of 16."
Mr Khurshid's shop is close to a number of schools, including Perth Grammar, and he is concerned about the effect of tobacco advertising on youngsters. "I very much support these changes to the legislation as they will act to deter people from smoking, particularly the young," Mr Khurshid said.
He accused tobacco companies of scaremongering over the new legislation. "I am worried about the health impact of smoking on kids, and I think the tobacco firms have tried to put pressure on retailers to oppose the ban," he said. "They have tried to scare us by saying we will go out of business, but I do not think that is the case at all. People who want to buy cigarettes will still be able to buy them, but they will not be out there openly on display."
However a recent survey of shopkeepers suggested that four out of five corner shop owners believed the plans would hit their business by encouraging illegal purchasing. Almost 70% in the survey think cross-border shopping and smuggling will increase over the next 12 months.The poll was conducted by the Tobacco Retailers' Alliance, which claims the legislation will force the tobacco trade under the radar. Meanwhile, cigarette firms branded the ban "unnecessary, unjustified and unwanted."
Source: The Courier, 23rd September 2009
