Ban on cigarette displays in shops will backfire by glamorising smoking, warn small business chiefs

The warning by the Federation of Small Businesses came in reply to Government proposals to force tobacco under the counter and to have cigarette vending machines removed from hotels, pubs and restaurants.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo has announced that consultation on the ideas will begin in May - with any changes potentially scheduled for this autumn.

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But a Federation of Small Businesses spokesman said: "There is a move towards a pseudo-prohibition state but the more you put things out of people's reach the more you glamorise it.

"We think there is more the Government can do in terms of advertising and education."

Pro-smoking pressure group Forest said: "The more you make smoking something taboo and forbidden and wrong, the more you attract teenagers who want to rebel.

"This is more nanny state nonsense which attempts to make smokers feel bad about themselves and victimise them. It won't help prevent children from smoking."

The Association of Convenience Stores said shops would have to carry out expensive refits if the proposals-came in.

The FSB said the total cost to the country's 50,000 small shops would be at least £50million - £1,000 each - at a time when they are already under pressure from supermarkets and outoftown malls.

Despite the concerns, there was widespread approval for the proposals yesterday.

Tory leader David Cameron, a formersmoker, said: 'In terms of helping-people who want to give up, having less temptation around is not a bad thing.

"Let's have a look at this and see what is practical and feasible."

Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman-of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said: "Anything that reduces the advertising of cigarettes - and displays in shops is tantamount to advertising - should be welcomed."

Mike Unger, of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, added: "The more you can do to stop young people buying cigarettes and being influenced by cigarettes the better.

"Half of all young children who smoke will die from a smoking-related disease before they reach retirement."

Legislation banning tobacco displays has already been introduced in Ontario, Canada, and in two Australian states.

Tobacco advertising was banned in Britain in 2003 and smoking in public places was outlawed last July.

The proportion of adults who smoke has fallen from 24 per cent to 22 per cent since last year's ban.

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