Tobacco ban

Dr James Cant (Friends of The Scotsman, 12 February) seems unaware that highly effective bans on both tobacco advertising and sponsorship have now been in place for several years.

More importantly, from the viewpoint of responsible retailers, his assertion that “getting the kids in the door is essential” is utterly misguided.

The majority of convenience store retailers vigorously enforce age restriction procedures for tobacco products and have voluntarily implemented the Challenge 25 identification regime.

This is in sharp contrast to the criminal gangs who underpin the illicit trade – they have absolutely no scruples in selling illegal products to young and vulnerable people.

The main way children and young people obtain cigarettes is from an adult via a “proxy purchase”. Plain packaging will do absolutely nothing to solve this problem.

John Lee

Scottish Grocers’ 
Federation

Queensferry Road

Edinburgh