'Unworkable' phased generational ban will push tobacco market underground, say makers

Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s policy to introduce a phased generational smoking ban will have profound consequences on retailers and local communities and will push larger share of the UK’s tobacco market into the hands of the organised crime gangs, says tobacco makers body, calling on retailers who have reservations about the impact of a ‘phased generational ban’ on their businesses, to contact their local MPs to oppose the ban.

In response to the publication of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill which will introduce a ‘phased generational ban’ on the purchase of tobacco products for anyone born on or after Jan 1 2009, Rupert Lewis, Director of the TMA, said, “Rishi Sunak’s policy to introduce a phased generational smoking ban will have profound consequences for consumers, retailers and local communities across the UK.

"As a policy, it is unworkable, illiberal and unenforceable, and risks pushing an even larger share of the UK’s
tobacco market underground – with every passing year – into the hands of the organised crime gangs that spread violence and disorder up and down our country."

The Tobacco & Vapes Bill is scheduled to receive its Second Reading in parliament on April 16. TMA is calling on retailers who have reservations about the impact of a ‘phased generational ban’ on their businesses, to contact their local MP to oppose the ban, saying that the consequences of a new ‘tobacco prohibition law’ will be long-lasting and will be felt by communities across the UK for years to come.

Lewsi said, "In the UK, 18-years of age is when a person becomes an adult and takes responsibility for their actions. It is the age when you can legally buy alcohol, fight for your country, serve on a jury, get married without permission or place a bet.

"Fast forward a few years and a phased generational smoking ban will see retailers having to differentiate between 28-year-olds and 29-year-olds when selling tobacco. This is not common sense!"

Lewis cited data from British Retail Consortium, Co-op, Retail Trust, USDAW, National Federation of Retailers and Scottish Grocers’ Federation to state that retailers are facing unprecedented levels of verbal abuse and physical violence with retail crime reaching epidemic levels and the ban will see a spike in such behaviour.

"The introduction of a phased generational ban will lead to an escalation in more threatening anti-social behaviour towards retailers, as the weight of responsibility for enforcement will fall entirely on the shoulders of shopkeepers and their staff."

The New Zealand Government has seen sense and repealed a ‘generational ban’ before it was implemented, and the UK Government would be wise to adopt a similar approach, because the repercussions of introducing a ‘tobacco prohibition law’ will be long-lasting, and felt by communities across the UK for years to come, he said.