John Drummond: Transparency on issue of tobacco cuts both ways

SHEILA Duffy of anti-smoking campaign Ash Scotland was right when she argued in this column earlier this week that there should be full transparency about the interests, especially financial, of any organisation involved in debates on issues as important as public health.

That is why the UK Government’s consultation on standardised tobacco packaging acknowledges that as party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control it has an obligation to ask all respondents to disclose whether they have any direct or indirect links to the tobacco industry.

As chief executive of SGF, I am well aware of my obligations to declare our members legally and responsibly sell tobacco products and that we have links with some tobacco companies in the same way as we do with producers of milk, bread or confectionery.

I do not, however, share the view of Ms Duffy that this, therefore, precludes SGF or retailers from playing a role in determining public health policies. A point, I would suggest, with which the Scottish Government would agree given our close working relationship through its Alcohol Industry Partnership and the SGF Healthy Living Programme, to support public health objectives and promote wellbeing.

On standardised packaging, our case will be built predominantly on the business considerations of the measure and the evidence base of its presumed effectiveness. I believe that this is right not only from a good business but good governance perspective too.

Convenience retailers are a lifeline to communities providing valuable services, supplying around 32,000 jobs and generating more than £3.2bn in turnover. It is private sector growth which will aid recovery not additional and unproven regulations. Retailers do not have the luxury of organisations like Ms Duffy’s to derive most of their income from public purse.

In summary, a desire for transparency should cut both ways. Just as SGF has to declare its interests Ms Duffy’s organisation – paid for by government to tell it what it wants to hear – should be open to the same scrutiny.

• John Drummond is chief executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation.