Campaigners target in-store tobacco goods

Published on Wednesday 8 July 2009 09:51

PEOPLE opposed to smoking are being urged to write to local retailers to persuade them to remove promotional displays of tobacco.

Anti-smoking lobby group ASH Scotland said that by supporting the measures local shoppers could more easily persuade shops to back proposed legislation.

Chief executive Sheila Duffy said the radical approach would counter the "inevitable" challenges from the tobacco industry, which wants to push its products as much as possible.

The Pride of Place? campaign was officially launched yesterday.

Ms Duffy said: "The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill aims to prevent children from smoking by stopping the visibility and availability of cigarettes to young people, including removing cigarette displays at the point of sale.

"Inevitably, the tobacco industry will continue to challenge the measures outlined in the bill and do all they can to delay, dilute and damage the legislation.

"We want to take our message direct to shopkeepers and counter the misinformation from the tobacco industry."