Working for a tobacco-free Scotland
25 August 2010
Commenting on the results of a survey published today by the tobacco industry funded group[1], the Tobacco Retailers Alliance, being used to support the claim that black market tobacco will soar following a display ban on tobacco products, ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:
"Throughout the debate over removing tobacco displays, a measure intended to protect young people from tobacco promotion, the tobacco industry has tried to divert attention away from the important health issues at stake by exaggerating fears based on unfounded claims.
"The reality is that there is no substance to these claims. There is no reason to think that adult smokers who currently buy their product legally from responsible retailers will suddenly switch to illegal sources because the product is no longer on display. Smokers will be able to go on buying what they normally buy, where they normally buy it. Why would they suddenly go somewhere else?
"Enforcement officials have said that banning the display of tobacco will make no difference to their ability to effectively target rogue retailers who may sell illicit stock. Illegal tobacco isn't on display in gantries, it's kept out of sight anyway.
"We know that black market tobacco sales remain a problem throughout the UK as a whole, but through effective enforcement activity progress is being made. HM Revenue and Customs estimates that the illicit market in cigarettes has declined from 18% of the total market in 2003/04 to only 12% in 2007/08.[2]
"The key factor influencing the prevalence of the illicit cigarettes is not whether tobacco is on display in shops, but the level of enforcement. Scotland's new legislation will bring in a penalty of up to £20,000 for illicit tobacco sales, which should help enforcement officers crack down further on smuggled tobacco.
"In the Republic of Ireland, where a display ban has been in place since July 2009, we've heard similar misinformation about the illicit trade being spread by the tobacco industry, and officials have concluded that they have to 'stick with the facts', which are that there is no evidence that in-store advertising and display bans have any impact on the levels of smuggling [3].
"This looks to me like a classic case of tobacco industry smoke and mirrors. They spread misinformation and alarm amongst retailers, survey the concerns they create, and present the results as if they were genuine evidence."
Sheila Duffy is available for ISDN interview or at other times by appointment. For further information please contact ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The Tobacco Retailers Alliance is funded by the Tobacco Manufacturers Association (http://www.the-tma.org.uk/ whose members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd, Gallaher Ltd, and Imperial Tobacco Ltd)
2. From HM Revenue and Customs: Measuring Tax Gaps 2009. Available from: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps.pdf
3. Office of Tobacco Control, Ireland: http://www.otc.ie/article.asp?article=458
4. Action on Smoking & Health (Scotland) (ASH Scotland) is an independent Scottish charity working in partnership to protect people from the harm caused by tobacco. Registered Scottish charity number SC 010412.
Action on Smoking & Health (Scotland) (ASH Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity (SC 010412) and a company limited by guarantee(Scottish company no 141711). The registered office is 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HB.
© 2012 ASH Scotland
ASH Scotland acknowledges with thanks the support of the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Government in developing our website.
