Tobacco licensing proposal sparks debate
22 Nov 07
Health bodies support MSP's proposed bill, but newsagents' federation opposed
A proposed Holyrood bill to introduce a licensing system for tobacco sales has drawn a negative response from the newsagents' federation as public consultation opens.
The measure has been put forward by Christine Grahame, the South of Scotland SNP MSP and convener of the Scottish Parliament's Health and Social Welfare Committee.
Ms Grahame said: “The age limit for buying tobacco recently rose from 16 to 18, but without real deterrents in place I doubt whether those retailers who previously sold cigarettes to underage people will be put off by that increase, welcome though it is.
“My proposed bill seeks to ensure the law is applied properly. The consultation I have begun gives an opportunity for all interested parties concerned about the health risks associated with smoking to have their voices heard within proposed new legislation.
“The time is right for a tobacco licensing system.”
The bill has the support of Action on Smoking and Health Scotland, Cancer Research UK, the British Medical Association Scotland and the British Heart Foundation Scotland. However the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), which represents the interests of 34,000 independent retailers, expressed scepticism about the proposal.
The NFRN’s national president, Colin Finch, said: “We welcome any move that will protect the health and wellbeing of the communities which our members serve. However we are extremely sceptical when it comes to adding new rules and legislation to the existing system which is stretching independent retailers enough as it is.
"The vast majority of independent retailers uphold the law and they protect their communities, but it is a lonely and difficult task since the blame is only accosted to them and no satisfactory attempt at education and meaningful application of the existing law is made."
Ms Grahame's proposal can be read at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/MembersBills . Consultation runs until 15 February 2008.
The consultation response will help inform the Scottish government's new strategy on smoking prevention, due for publication next year.