Press Release 001

Unveiled at the weekend, the proposals include a ban on vending machine sales and packs of ten, forcing cigarettes 'under the counter' and a move to brand-free packaging. According to the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, these measures are aimed at discouraging children from starting to smoke.

However, Freedom2Choose views the proposals as irrational and is calling for the goverment to base their policies on clear evidence rather than presumption. For example, research shows that, following a ban on packs of 10 cigarettes in Ireland, smokers have increased, not reduced, the number smoked daily (1).

Andy Davis, campaign Vice Chairman, states, "Playing the children card is an insult to people's intelligence. Under 18's are already not allowed to buy tobacco, so how would the removal of displays or packs of 10 prevent an impulse buy that isnt possible in the first place? Where is the supposed reduction in children buying cigarettes in other countries with this policy?"

In some areas of Canada where displays of tobacco have been banned, youth smoking rates remain higher than the national everage, and are even on the increase in some states (2).

Mr Davis adds "Is the Health Secretary that naive that he doesnt realise that the more hidden cigarettes are the more attractive they will be to children as forbidden fruit becomes cool? The government says that a comparison with other countries will be made before taking a decision. Perhaps the smoking ban itself should be revisited if we are to look at the success of tobacco control elsewhere. Ireland, our 'blanket ban neighbour', has seen an increase in smoker prevalence (3), whereas Germany and Switzerland, who have fewer restrictions, have both seen a decline." (4 & 5)

Under current UK law, retailers are already faced with fines of up to £2000 for selling tobacco to children younger than 18 years. Furthermore, the
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) estimates that the cost to business of banning tobacco displays will run to as much as £252 million as shops would require substantial refitting.

"Where moves to reduce youth smoking will clearly not be effective, choice for adults purchasing a legal product must be protected," says Mr. Davis.

Freedom2Choose seeks to promote freedom of choice and campaigns to amend the smoking ban to allow choice for businesses and their customers, in line with the majority of EU countries.
www.freedom2choose.info

ENDS

Notes to editors

Statistics quoted from the following sources:
1) Ireland daily smoking rates:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/smoking-rate-has-risen-since-ban-on-the-10pack-1286383.html
2) Cananda youth smoking rates:
http://www.acs.org.uk/en/info/document_summary.cfm/docid/1F49233B-044C-4A01-A17488EE48E98C24
3) Ireland smoking prevalence:
http://www.freedom2choose.info/news1.php?id=39
4) Germany cigarette sales:
http://www.euromonitor.com/Tobacco_in_Germany?print=true