Ireland - tobacco companies not helping small retailers - display ban..

July 10, 2009 - On July 1, 2009 Ireland introduces a ban on the advertising and display of tobacco products in retail shops. Contrary to anti-smoking lobby group claims, tobacco manufacturers declined to assist smaller retailers with the expensive alterations, which require their products to be stored out of view in closed containers accessible only by staff. As a result hundreds of small independent retailers in Ireland have had to pay in full for costly alterations to their tobacco gantries after a ban on display came into force on July 1.

The lack of financial support offers little comfort to UK shopkeepers who are awaiting a Commons decision on the display ban this week. (Status of Proposal (June 30th) from Amanda Sandford, ASH UK: the proposal to put tobacco products out of sight at the point of sale..)

Large stores and supermarkets which sell greater volumes of tobacco are understood to have received some funding for the changes, which also apply to in-store vending machines.

Vincent Jennings, chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) in Ireland, said that many small retailers had found the costs hard to bear. “We had been hoping until the very last minute that small stores would receive some financial assistance but unfortunately for many this has not been the case,” he said.

Retailers are permitted to display one sign in their store informing the public that tobacco products are for sale in their stores to those over 18 years of age. However, no other signs which use the word ‘tobacco’ - even in reference to an age-restricted goods policy - are allowed.

The law also requires all tobacco retailers to register with the Office of Tobacco Control at a cost of 50 Euros (69.68USD)- a fixed fee irrespective of the size of the store.

Reference: Small stores pay out as Ireland goes dark, Gaelle Walker, Convenience Store, the grocer.co.uk, 07/07/2009.

Some Ireland related news briefs: Ireland - tobacco display ban came into force on July 1, 2009..; Tobacco control initiatives starting Wednesday, July 1, 2009..; Ireland - Office of Tobacco Control 2008 annual report - Positive..; Ireland - modest penalty for cigarette smuggling..; Ireland - to amend tobacco legislation to to include pictoral warnings..; Ireland - as of July 1, 2009 no advertising or display of tobacco products will be permitted in retail outlets..; Ireland - cigarette tax abandoned over smuggling fears..; Ireland - may raise tax on cigarettes as part of emergency budget..; Ireland - ban smoking in cars when kids are present..; Ireland - further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 are to be commenced on 1 July 2009.; Ireland - 80% of smokers want a ban on tobacco advertising in shops to stop youngsters starting the habit..; Ireland to ban tobacco displays..; Ireland - reduction in admissions for acute coronary syndrome...