Scotland's tobacco taliban march on
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 
Alan Myerthall runs The Pipe Shop in Leith. Yesterday (see previous posts), Brian Monteith and I popped in to say hello.
Alan is a member of the Independent Scottish Specialist Tobacconists' Association which was formed last year in response to the threat posed by further tobacco controls. In England and Wales specialist tobacconists were given an exemption from the smoking ban so customers could continue to sample the product. Not in Scotland. "Smoking," a sign above the humidor in The Pipe Shop informs us, "is prohibited within these premises".
Likewise there is talk that if a display ban is introduced in the UK, specialist tobacconists in England may be exempt - but not in Scotland where the tobacco taliban insists that any hint of tobacco (including cigars, pipe tobacco and even snuff) must be covered up or hidden under the counter.
Alan reckons that it will cost £10,000 to alter his shop to meet the proposed legislation - a huge sum for a small retailer. "Who is going to pay for that?" he asks. "The government?"
The Pipe Shop has been in business for 50 years. In the short time we were in the shop there was a steady stream of customers - most of whom knew Alan by name. It was a friendly, vibrant environment. If the Scottish government proceeds with these ridiculous proposals, another small business could bite the dust.
And for what purpose? As Alan Myerthall told me yesterday: "[Public health minister] Shona Robison wants to make Scotland smokefree by 2020. There's as much chance of me winning the lottery, and I buy two tickets every week!"
See also: Tobacconists could be stubbed out
Simon Clark
It seems that specialist tobacconists will be exempt after all. See HERE.
Reader Comments (4)
That's appalling. It doesn't help he has a dog in the place either, health and safety will be wanting that stopped soon no doubt.
Scotland seems to want to outdo Ireland in the race to the bottom by becoming the lap dogs of the EU. They'll be telling us they're world leaders next!!
Please see link
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/26091047
Gerard Hastings, Stirling University: "This is a great opportunity for Scotland to maintain its international lead on public health; for business to enhance its offering to a customer base that is steadily moving away from tobacco and, most of all, for young people who will be able to grow up in a healthier local environment. It marks another step towards the day when Scotland will not just be smokefree, but tobacco free."
"This is a great opportunity for Scotland to maintain its international lead on public health.........."
Or...........enhance its image as an increasingly sullen and inward-lookward nation of little significance, populated by self-pitying provincial bigots and self-righteous Calvanists.
That such a once highly inventive and lion-hearted folk should have fallen this far is a New Age Tragedy.
Thanks, Tony !