Prominent retailers have spoken out against Scottish Government proposals to ban displays of vaping products in the nation’s shops.
A consultation currently underway on tightening rules around the advertising and promotion of vaping products includes a move to outlaw in-store promotional displays.
SGF President Dan Brown is among those who fear that potential new policy will not just hit retailers’ businesses but hamper the drive to make the country smoke-free by 2034.
Brown, owner of Pinkie Farm convenience store in Musselburgh, East Lothian, is supporting SGF’s stance that any such ban risks setting back the health agenda by essentially hiding a proven route for smokers to quit by switching to a less harmful alternative.
He said: “From both a business and public health points of view, restricting vaping products makes absolutely no sense. These need to be visible in-store so that retailers can help customers to find the right kind of product. The marketing and the display of vapes go together to help raise awareness of these products.
“If we are serious about achieving a tobacco-free generation then we must recognise the important role vaping can play.”
In addition, former SGF president Abdul Majid – a leading store owner in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire – is also urging a rethink.
He said: “Retailers are fully committed to selling vaping products in a responsible way.
“We need to be able to offer and display a wide variety of products so that customers can move away from tobacco if they want to. Customers need to know and be able to see what’s available so they can find the product that best suits them.
“Restricting vaping will mean that Scotland never makes the big leap away from tobacco.”
Prominent Glasgow convenience store chief, Mohammed Rajak, added: “Sales of tobacco are falling – through health advice and pricing – and increasing numbers of customers see vaping as an option to quit. Our sales of vapes have grown exponentially in recent years, so if we had to remove in-store promotions it would have a negative effect – on the business and in showing an alternative to smoking.
“People are realising that vapes are less harmful than cigarettes and are using them as a way to quit. We can see that from our customers who were smokers and are now vapers. I don’t think the evidence is there for a ban from a health perspective. We have a strong reputation in the community and are committed to selling vapes responsibly.”
SGF is urging retailers across the country to make their views known to the government by responding to its consultation, which closes on 28 April.
Dr John Lee, the organisation’s Head of Public Affairs, said: “The proposal to ban the in-store promotion of vaping products is bad news for the drive to make Scotland smoke-free by 2034, as well as for businesses. We do not believe there’s evidence for the measures proposed.
“Our members are clear in their opposition to this, for good reasons – and we are encouraging them to share their views directly with the Scottish Government.”
SGF argues that any in-store promotional displays ban flies in the face of expert views – shared in the government own consultation – that “it would be a good thing if smokers used them instead of tobacco”.
The trade body is advocating the responsible use of vapes as a tool to help smokers kick their habit, flagging the benefits that they believe they can have in the document Vape To Quit.
