Retailers against tobacco display ban - poll

A poll of New Zealand retailers released today shows most shop owners are against a Ministry of Health proposal to ban tobacco displays in shops.

The poll of 479 retailers commissioned by the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS) showed that over 60 per cent of retailers were against the ban.

NZACS chairman Roger Bull said the results showed that a ban was not the right course of action saying the ministry should more actively engage with retailers.

"We have consistently encouraged the ministry to actively talk with the retail sector instead of thinking-up new regulations from Wellington," Mr Bull said.

The poll showed a lack of communication between the Ministry of Health and the retail sector with nearly 65 per cent of retailers having never even seen a ministry official, he said.

"The reality is that the Prime Minister's comments of June 2009, 'that there is no international evidence that a display ban actually works and it's hugely expensive to do it...' are as relevant today as it was 12 months ago," Mr Bull said.

NZACS told Parliament's health select committee two years ago that tobacco companies provided financial incentives to retailers to sell and display tobacco.

- NZPA