SGF to represent retailers at Holyrood Smoking Conference

Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), CEO, John Drummond will outline the reasons behind the retail sector’s opposition to measures included in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood’s Smoking Conference to be held on the 23rd September 2009.

SGF has strongly opposed the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce a tobacco display ban which SGF has estimated will cost a typical convenience store in the region of £5,000 to £10,000 just to modify their store.

John Drummond said:

”SGF has repeatedly expressed our concern at the lack of compelling evidence to support the introduction of a tobacco display ban.

“If implemented a display ban will lead to considerable costs and disruption for retailers already struggling with the economic downturn and is founded on an immature argument that tobacco displays are the primary reason young people take up smoking.

“I welcome the opportunity to represent retailers at the Holyrood Magazine Conference and to identify some of the measures we believe could really make a difference to reducing levels of youth smoking if adequately resourced by the Scottish Government.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Katie Mackie 0131 343 3300 or 07912 308583

For full conference details please visit www.holyrood.com/tobaccobill or contact Duncan Robertson at Holyrood magazine conferences on 0131 272 2175.