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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/28/tesco-sainsburys-cigarette-displays-stores
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| Tesco and Sainsbury's urged to stub out cigarette displays in smaller stores | Tesco and Sainsbury's urged to stub out cigarette displays in smaller stores |
| (6 months later) | |
| Tesco and Sainsbury's are under fire from health campaigners for displaying cigarettes in their convenience stores, even though they can afford to cover them up – as they are already required to do by law in their supermarkets. | Tesco and Sainsbury's are under fire from health campaigners for displaying cigarettes in their convenience stores, even though they can afford to cover them up – as they are already required to do by law in their supermarkets. |
| Large supermarkets were forced to cover up tobacco products from April last year under the Health Act 2009. Smaller outlets were given until April 2015 to make the change, partly because of the costs involved for the thousands of small independent shopkeepers. | Large supermarkets were forced to cover up tobacco products from April last year under the Health Act 2009. Smaller outlets were given until April 2015 to make the change, partly because of the costs involved for the thousands of small independent shopkeepers. |
| Dr Nick Hopkinson, a senior lecturer in respiratory medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute, based in London's Royal Brompton hospital, and Ash, the anti-smoking charity, said the supermarket chains are putting young people's health at risk by hiding behind a concession intended for much smaller businesses. | Dr Nick Hopkinson, a senior lecturer in respiratory medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute, based in London's Royal Brompton hospital, and Ash, the anti-smoking charity, said the supermarket chains are putting young people's health at risk by hiding behind a concession intended for much smaller businesses. |
| "Clearly, if they decided to change the displays, they could do it right now," he said, adding that the prominent displays raised awareness of brands and made smoking seem normal to children, 430 of whom take it up in England every day. | "Clearly, if they decided to change the displays, they could do it right now," he said, adding that the prominent displays raised awareness of brands and made smoking seem normal to children, 430 of whom take it up in England every day. |
| There is also evidence that displays encourage impulse purchases by those who are trying to quit. | There is also evidence that displays encourage impulse purchases by those who are trying to quit. |
| A change of heart by two of Britain's largest supermarkets could have a major impact on tobacco sales. Tesco is the largest operator of convenience stores in the UK, with more than 2,000 shops under its Express and One Stop brands, while Sainsbury's owns nearly 500 small shops. | A change of heart by two of Britain's largest supermarkets could have a major impact on tobacco sales. Tesco is the largest operator of convenience stores in the UK, with more than 2,000 shops under its Express and One Stop brands, while Sainsbury's owns nearly 500 small shops. |
| In statements, Sainsbury's and Tesco indicated they were not planning any immediate change and would abide by the legislation when it came into force in two years' time. | In statements, Sainsbury's and Tesco indicated they were not planning any immediate change and would abide by the legislation when it came into force in two years' time. |
| "In line with the laws on the display of tobacco products, we have modified the display units in our larger format stores so that tobacco products are hidden from view. By April 2015, we will have applied the same conditions to our Express stores, when the display ban law for convenience stores comes into effect," Tesco said. | "In line with the laws on the display of tobacco products, we have modified the display units in our larger format stores so that tobacco products are hidden from view. By April 2015, we will have applied the same conditions to our Express stores, when the display ban law for convenience stores comes into effect," Tesco said. |
| Ash said supermarkets could do more to promote healthy living and support government policy by taking the issue seriously. | Ash said supermarkets could do more to promote healthy living and support government policy by taking the issue seriously. |
| "From a PR perspective I would have thought they would want to be seen to be acting responsibly given the recent food scandals," said Amanda Sandford, research manager at Ash. | "From a PR perspective I would have thought they would want to be seen to be acting responsibly given the recent food scandals," said Amanda Sandford, research manager at Ash. |
| Hopkinson is particularly angry that the shelves of displays appear to be designed to obscure health warnings printed on the front of cigarette packets. | Hopkinson is particularly angry that the shelves of displays appear to be designed to obscure health warnings printed on the front of cigarette packets. |
| In letters to Tesco and Sainsbury's seen by the Guardian, Hopkinson said it was time for the supermarkets to "step up to [their] responsibilities, and instead of tolerating the misdeeds of the tobacco industry, show leadership by taking urgent action to replace these displays". | In letters to Tesco and Sainsbury's seen by the Guardian, Hopkinson said it was time for the supermarkets to "step up to [their] responsibilities, and instead of tolerating the misdeeds of the tobacco industry, show leadership by taking urgent action to replace these displays". |
| Tesco said it used standard display units and customers could see the health warning as they were handed the product. | Tesco said it used standard display units and customers could see the health warning as they were handed the product. |
| Retailers and cigarette manufacturers are under increasing pressure to hide away tobacco products amid evidence that smoking kills 80,000 people every year in England alone and reduces life expectancy by 10 years on average. Legislation to force tobacco companies to sell their cigarettes in plain packaging in the UK is expected to be announced in the Queen's speech in May. There is already a complete ban on cigarette advertising. Smoking in enclosed public places was banned in 2007. | Retailers and cigarette manufacturers are under increasing pressure to hide away tobacco products amid evidence that smoking kills 80,000 people every year in England alone and reduces life expectancy by 10 years on average. Legislation to force tobacco companies to sell their cigarettes in plain packaging in the UK is expected to be announced in the Queen's speech in May. There is already a complete ban on cigarette advertising. Smoking in enclosed public places was banned in 2007. |
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