Retailers Put Views To Government

[Association of Community Retailers]

The Association of Community Retailers (ACR) has put forward its views in a submission to the Ministry of Health’s proposals on the banning of tobacco displays in New Zealand.

ACR founding member and Timaru tobacconist Murray Gibson said there was huge opposition among the retailing community to the Government’s plans to ban tobacco displays.

“If the Government wants people to stop smoking, it should focus its efforts on further education and enforcement, not impose restrictions and enforce a retail display ban on tobacco that unfairly penalises everyday New Zealanders trying to earn a living and serve their communities,” the ACR’s submission said.

“We reject the simplistic notion that displays of tobacco in stores contribute to people taking up smoking or undermine people’s efforts to quit smoking. Adult consumers of tobacco make a conscious decision to smoke. It is not a spur of the moment decision made through the viewing of a tobacco product in the shops.

“If we accept the rationale that displays turn people into smokers, there would be more smokers in this country today – it’s that simple,” says Mr Gibson “Similarly, if we accept the rationale, then displays of alcohol must turn people into alcoholics; displays of chocolate and puddings turn people obese.”

The submission says that bans on tobacco displays are unlikely to reduce incidences of smoking in New Zealand, but could result in a consumer move away from smaller dairies and convenience stores. Retailers make a big contribution to local communities and the national economy. Proposals to ban tobacco displays in New Zealand will have no affect on anyone but the retailers.

“This issue is not about smoking. It is about the right of retailers to display and sell a product that remains legal”, Mr Gibson said. “If the Government wants people to stop smoking, it should ban tobacco altogether, not impose restrictions that unfairly penalise everyday New Zealanders trying to earn a living and serve their communities.”

ENDS

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