Tobacco firm in legal fight over displays

Embassy maker Imperial Tobacco stepped up its fight yesterday against the ban on the display of tobacco products in retail outlets from October next year.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Apr 2010, 11:59 BST
Updated 27th Apr 2010, 11:59 BST

The group said it was seeking a judicial review to challenge the legislation, which it claimed was "misguided" and would fuel illicit trade.

Large retailers will not be able to display tobacco products from October 2011, extending to small retailers in 2013 under the Health Act 2009.

Imperial – also under fire from the Office of Fair Trading

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(OFT) over pricing allegations – said the ban was "a further example of the Government's

unreasonable and disproportionate approach to regulating tobacco".

Gareth Davis, chief executive of Bristol-based Imperial, added: "There is no credible evidence to support the idea that children start smoking or that adult smokers continue to smoke as a result of the display of tobacco products.

"If this misguided legislation is implemented it will simply fuel the growth in the illicit trade of tobacco and create a huge cost burden for retailers who are already under considerable pressure as a result of the difficult economic climate."

Related topics:GovernmentBristol