London newsagents express fears over cigarette display ban
Personal insurance
11th December 2008
Newsagents in London have revealed their concerns over the forthcoming ban of cigarette and tobacco displays.
Legislation for the ban will come in next year, with the prohibition coming into force two years later - but some are already concerned about the effect this could have on business.
Dinesh Shah of Falstaff News in Marylebone told the BBC that the future of the store could depend on how the changes are received by the public. At present, cigarette sales are worth £5,000 a week to the shop.
"Sales will go down on our speciality brands but even on our main brands we'll suffer too. This government doesn't know what it's doing," said the storekeeper.
That opinion was seconded by Orlando Escobar of the nearby Alisha Shop, who said the ban is "not a good idea".
Opinion has been divided across the country over the new law, but concerns have been expressed by many newsagents.
Speaking on the issue, health secretary Alan Johnson said: "Advertising has been removed from television, film and newspapers - the only point now where there is advertising is point-of-sale."
