Support for ban on cigarette displays

Cigarettes could soon be kept under shop counters, with huge support having been expressed for a ban on tobacco displays.

A Health Ministry report on public consultation on tobacco displays shows 453 out of 557 submissions received - more than 80 per cent - were in favour of a total ban.

It is estimated that 10,000 dairies, supermarkets and petrol stations sell tobacco products. They are at present allowed to display 100 cigarette packets per cash register and must have a "smoking kills" sign nearby.

British American Tobacco New Zealand warns that a ban on displays could drive sales underground and put retailers at risk.

Spokeswoman Susan Jones said cigarettes were already highly regulated.

"When you have a product that is suddenly hidden you're more likely to lead to [a black market]. It drives a legal product underground."

She said retailers had expressed fear that placing cigarettes under the counter would put their safety at risk because they would have to bend down or turn their backs on customers.

The Health Ministry began seeking public feedback on tobacco displays last December. It outlined three options: keeping current restrictions but with more education and enforcement, putting more restrictions in place, and banning displays altogether.

A summary of submissions, released to The Dominion Post yesterday, showed most support for a ban on displays was from medical groups, district health boards, quit-smoking groups, and youth and non-government organisations.

Tobacco companies and most retailers - totalling fewer than 5 per cent of submissions - favoured keeping current restrictions.

Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said he would take the information and industry feedback to the Cabinet in the next two months.

Though he could not say when a ban could be implemented, he was pleased with the results of the consultation.

"It clearly shows a growing level of awareness and concern around tobacco use."

The report comes as a study commissioned by the Cancer Society shows 59 per cent of all smokers support a ban on retail displays.

The study, by UMR Research, surveyed 3000 people between March and May.

Cancer Society spokeswoman Belinda Keenan said smokers who wanted to quit were even more supportive, with 72 per cent in favour of a ban. Part of the reason smokers supported a ban was that tobacco displays were a temptation and undermined efforts to quit.

"You're talking about a highly addictive drug here."

The survey was presented yesterday on the final day of the National Tobacco Control Hui in Wellington.

- © Fairfax NZ News