'Tobacco display ban is misguided' Move may force shops to close.Byline: BY LIZA WILLIAMS Daily Post Staff NEWSAGENTS in Merseyside expressed their dismay last night as the Government confirmed plans to ban the display of cigarettes. The local branch of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN NFRN National Federation of Retail Newsagents (UK) ) is concerned dozens of shops could close as a result of the measure. Health Secretary Alan Johnson unveiled the plans yesterday to force cigarette sales "under the counter" in a bid to cut smoking by children. However, the plans do not as yet include a ban on vending machines. Merseyside MPs had already launched a last ditch attempt to stop the policy. Peter Kilfoyle (Lab; Walton), John Pugh John David Pugh (b. 28 June, 1948; Liverpool) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament for Southport, representing the Liberal Democrats. First elected in 2001 with a majority of 3,007, he was re-elected in 2005 with a slightly increased majority of 3,838. (Lib Dem LIB DEM Liberal Democrat(s) (UK political party) ; Southport) and Bob Wareing Robert Nelson Wareing, commonly known as Bob Wareing, (born August 20, 1930, Liverpool) is a Labour politician in the United Kingdom and Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool West Derby. (Ind Lab; West Derby) are among almost 100 MPs opposing the clampdown clamp·down n. An imposing of restrictions or controls: "Advertisers and broadcasters would raise howls of protest against any strong clampdown" Wall Street Journal. . They share the newsagents' fear that it will send struggling shopkeepers to the wall. President of the Merseyside, Dee and North Wales district of the NFRN, John Parkinson, said: "I find it almost impossible to comprehend a government can be so misguided to think it will have the desired effect. "It will not stop youngsters smoking, only put yet more strain on struggling businesses. "Many shops may close as a result of this, leaving communities without vital services. "Five years ago we had nearly 1,000 members, now it is only 750. "We do not want this to reduce anymore. "Changing the smoking age to 18 was a brilliant move and I supported that - it will stop more youngsters smoking. "This will not and will also make the problem of contraband goods far worse." Dave Burrell, who runs Burrell News in Birkenhead says it will have an adverse effect on his business: "I think it will have an impact on elderly customers, who will have more trouble finding the cigarettes they want. "Service will be slowed down for them and others, meaning people may walk out. "A lot of our business comes from cigarettes and so it will affect us. "I doubt it will stop young people from smoking either, like any prohibition measure it will just push it underground and make it more appealing." lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk |
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