Health chiefs hit back at tobacco vote threat

Published on Wednesday 8 April 2009 22:08

MEDICAL chiefs yesterday hit out at "spurious" tobacco industry claims in a row over plans to ban cigarette displays in shops.

The British Medical Association (BMA) claimed the industry was interested in "protecting profits" and accused it of selling "deadly products".

The Tobacco Retailers Alliance said yesterday that the ban in the Scottish Government's proposed Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill would "cost votes", in a submission to Holyrood's health committee.

But Dr Peter Terry, chairman of BMA Scotland said: "Before politicians make decisions based on these spurious claims, they must consider the motives. The fears expressed by retailers simply reinforce our argument that point-of-sale displays are a form of advertising.

"It would seem that the industry – both retailers and tobacco producers – are primarily worried about how they can continue to attract people to buy these deadly products simply to protect their profits."

He added that doctors had "no such agenda" and were motivated by improving public health.

The BMA yesterday published its own submission on the proposed bill, which also welcomed moves to ban tobacco vending machines.

"If shopkeepers are adhering to the law, vending machines are the only possible way for children to obtain tobacco illegally, and therefore we welcome the Scottish Government's tough stance on this," Dr Terry added.

"I hope that Scotland's politicians have the courage and the confidence to take steps to protect the health of our children.

"It is now their job to put health before the interests of an industry that profits from sales of addictive and deadly substances."