Smoke defence

Sheila Duffy of ASH Scotland was right when she said there should be full transparency about the interests, especially financial, of organisations involved in debates on issues as important as public health (Platform, 23 May). That is why the UK government’s consultation on standardised tobacco packaging acknowledges that as party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) it has an obligation to ask all respondents to disclose whether they have any direct or indirect links to, or receive funding from, the tobacco industry.

As chief executive of a trade body representing the Scottish convenience store sector, I am well aware of my obligations to declare that our members legally and responsibly sell tobacco products and we therefore have links with some tobacco companies in the same way as we have links to some producers of milk, bread or confectionery.

I do not, however, share Ms Duffy’s view that this precludes SGF and our members from playing any role in determining public health policies of our nation.

It is a point, I would suggest, with which the Scottish Government would also disagree, given our close co-operation through a range of partnerships like the Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership and the SGF Healthy Living Programme.

These are partnerships specifically designed to support public health objectives and promote the wellbeing of our nation.

On the debate around 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 this is right and proper not only from a business perspective but from a desire to support policies which are proportionate and effective.

My members are a lifeline to communities across Scotland and supply around 32,000 Scottish jobs. At a time when private-sector growth will aid our economic recovery additional and unproven burdens should be avoided. After all, retailers do not have the luxury of organisations like Ms Duffy’s which derives three quarters of its income from the largesse of the public purse.

John Drummond

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

Queensferry Road

Edinburgh