Scottish Grocers’ Federation fears the Scottish Government’s move to outlaw product displays would be a barrier to some of the country’s most disadvantaged people from quitting smoking.
The SGF is repeating its calls for the move to be scrapped, saying responses confirm its fears that it would hamper the drive for people to stop smoking by making less harmful alternatives less obvious.
The call comes as the proposals to ban the promotion of vaping products in Scotland’s shops have failed to secure majority support in a Scottish Government consultation.
More than half (53.8%) of those who responded said that in-store promotional displays should be allowed to remain.
Opponents argued that further regulation would be disproportionate, calling instead for an increased focus on reducing the appeal of e-cigarette products to unintended audiences and on ensuring existing regulations controlling the sale of them are sufficiently enforced.
In addition, 48.6% of those that responded to the consultation said they feared that greater curbs on the advertisement of vaping products would have a negative impact on those living at a socio-economic disadvantage. That compares to 25.5% who believed they would have a positive impact.
Concerns of deepening inequalities echoed those raised by SGF in its response to the consultation. It also highlighted Cancer Research UK projections that suggest the richest fifth of the country’s population could be smoke-free by 2034, but that the poorest fifth will not cross the 10% mark by 2050.
SGF Chief Executive, Dr Pete Cheema, said: “The opposition here is clear – and the concerns completely legitimate. While well-intentioned to improve the nation’s health, these proposals risk the unintended consequences of actually hampering efforts to make Scotland a smoke-free nation.
“Vaping products are a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and a proven route towards people quitting. If displays of them are banned in shops, fewer people will realise they are available and fewer people will quit.
“We are not opposing these proposals for the sake of it. We genuinely believe they will make the situation worse rather than better, particularly in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. Consultation responses confirm our fears.”
Cheema added: “We should be using every tool available – including vapes – to help people stop smoking, rather than hiding them from view in our shops.
“We know there are concerns around children trying to buy these products, but Scotland’s convenience store sector is committed to the responsible sale of all age-restricted products. We work with our members to share and encourage best practice.”
