Unveiling the Scottish Government’s Smoking Prevention Action Plan, ‘Scotland’s future is smokefree,’ in Parliament yesterday Robison said the Government will legislate to restrict the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at points of sale. 

The action plan, which will be backed by £9m over three years, also includes proposals to introduce licensing and sanctions such as cautions and fixed penalty notices, introduce a scheme for councils to more vigorously enforce tobacco sales laws, step up education in schools to make clear the risks associated with smoking and crack down on smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes. Robison said the Government is also considering issues surrounding outlawing the sale of cigarettes in packs of 10 and further steps to reduce underage sales from vending machines. 

The action plan was developed in consultation with the Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Tobacco Control and aims to build on previous ambitious efforts to reduce the number of smokers in Scotland, including the ban on smoking in public place in 2006 and raising the minimum age for buying cigarettes to 18 last year. 

Robison said we can’t afford to ignore the damage that smoking causes, adding that reducing the number of smokers in Scotland is a key part in the Government’s drive to “turn the tide” of Scotland’s poor health record. 

She said: "As well as encouraging existing smokers to kick the habit, it's crucial that we stop youngsters from starting. Today's action plan is specifically aimed at doing just that by making cigarettes and other tobacco products less accessible, less attractive and less affordable to them.  

"Smoking is dangerous at any age but the statistics are stark. Eighty per cent of smokers start in their teens. Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from cancer as a result than someone who starts in their mid-twenties.” 

While she said she is aware that some people will be concerned about further statutory controls on the sale of cigarettes, she added that, “the health of the nation must take precedence”. 

She said: "I am aware that some people will be concerned about further statutory controls on the sale of cigarettes. However, I am in no doubt that the prominent display of cigarettes in shops undermines our efforts to shift cultural perceptions of smoking - as does the apparent ease with which cigarettes can be bought.  

"Protecting young people from the impact of tobacco must be paramount and there are instances - and this is one - when the benefits to the health of the nation must take precedence.” 

The action plan, she said, proposes an “ambitious” programme of measures to “de-normalise” smoking in Scotland, adding, “through these measures I believe we can take significant steps towards our vision of a smoke-free Scotland." 

Laurence Gruer, director of Public Health at NHS Health Scotland and chair of the Smoking Prevention Working Group whose recommendations informed the content of the action plan, described it as “exactly the package of tough but sensible measures we need to cut the number of young people in Scotland who become addicted to this toxic substance.” 

Sheila Duffy, chief executive, ASH Scotland, also welcomed the publication as a “framework for debate and a chance for real progress in Scotland’s health.” 

She continued: "At present nearly a quarter of adults in Scotland die early from tobacco related diseases. Taking action now will help to ensure a healthier future for our children. 

"Promotional displays in shops are one of the last bastions of tobacco marketing. We know young people are heavily influenced by marketing and tend to experiment with the most visible brands. Putting cigarettes out of sight will support smokers who are trying to quit, and reduce the tobacco industry's influence on children.” 

She also welcomed the proposals relating to licensing, saying: "We believe those selling tobacco should be licensed as for alcohol. With most underage smokers saying they buy their cigarettes from shops and only a handful of prosecutions each year, it's clear the current system isn't working. Licensed tobacco sales would deter those retailers who are prepared to sell tobacco to children, and would allow those touting fake and smuggled tobacco to be quickly stopped." 

However, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) warned that the proposals to ban tobacco displays will result in “significant and damaging cost” to the convenience store sector. 

John Drummond, chief executive, SGF, said that while the SGF understand the health of Scotland is a very serious matter, he said they believe that banning in-story displays is “a step too far.” 

He continued: “The display of tobacco products is essential to enable adult consumers to make an informed choice based on availability, price and brand from the wide range of tobacco products on the market. 

“The cost of compliance with a tobacco display ban will place a significant financial burden on small retailers.” 

He said than when similar proposals were introduced in Canada retailers found that the cost of modifying a shop was between £1000 and £2000, adding that convenience store retailers in Scotland can expect to pay a similar amount to modify their shops, which he said does not take into consideration the loss of trade during a changeover.   

He added: “SGF members are concerned that concealing tobacco products under the counter could encourage some smokers, who do not see tobacco product on display in legitimate stores, to buy from rogue traders who are prepared to sell illicit products.” 

He also expressed concern about proposals to ban the sale of packs of 10 cigarettes, accusing the Government of sending out “conflicting messages.” 

He said: “People do not only buy packs of 10s because they are cheaper but because it enables them to limit and control their consumption.  Forcing smokers to buy a packet of 20 rather than 10 means they are more likely to smoke more.  In the Republic of Ireland where packs of 10s are banned the number of cigarettes consumed by the average smoker increased.    

“The Scottish Government is sending out a conflicting message, one week they say buying more alcohol makes you drink more, and then the next week they say buying more cigarettes will make you smoke less.  They can't be right on both counts.” 

While on licensing he added: “SGF members are responsible retailers who are aware of the risk to their business if they do not enforce the legislation on age restricted products, including tobacco, correctly.  Many have adopted a Challenge 25 policy, whereby any customer looking younger than 25 must provide photographic ID before the sale can be made. As long as there is a black market, there will always be tobacco available for children which will be cheaper than tobacco available in shops. 

“As a member of the Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Tobacco Control, SGF have made the case for the introduction of legislation which would make it illegal, as it is for alcohol, to attempt to buy tobacco under the age of 18 and for an adult to supply tobacco to a child.  Currently the legal onus is only on the retailer, this is an anomaly which is clearly unfair and must be corrected.” 

However, SNP MSP Christine Grahame welcomed the Government’s plans to introduce a registration scheme for tobacco retailers, which would require them to formally register to enable them to sell tobacco products. Grahame, who has introduced a Private Member’s Bill that would introduce a positive licensing scheme for tobacco retailers, said there was “little more than a cigarette paper” between the proposals outlined in her Bill and the plans announced by Robison yesterday.

She added: “I remain convinced that a positive licensing scheme is the way to move forward, but I am reasonably confident that what has been outlined today may deliver the same outcomes and I await to see the details of how it will operate.

“The key has always been about reducing or off-setting any costs associated with running the scheme for retailers and I am reasonably confident this can be achieved.”

Scotland's future is smoke-free, the smoking prevention action plan, is available on the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications.