Effect of tobacco display bans
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 I know readers of this blog are sceptical about the value of public or stakeholder consultations. I am too, but we still have to fight the good fight. And so this afternoon I submitted Forest's response to (deep breath) the Welsh Assembly government's 'Consultation on the draft tobacco control regulations for Wales under the Health Act 2009'.
Actually, it didn't take long to write because it was very similar to our response to the Department of Health's 'Consultation on proposed tobacco control regulations in England (under the Heath Bill 2009)' which we submitted in January.
The only significant difference was the addition of a section that drew attention to a new report by Patrick Basham of the Democracy Institute entitled Canada’s Ruinous Tobacco Display Ban: Economic and Public Health Lessons.
I doubt if any of this information will persuade politicians or officials in the Welsh Assembly to reverse their plans to prohibit tobacco displays and cigarette vending machines, but I hope they read it and feel rather less smug about regulations that the evidence suggests is not only counter-productive but treats adult smokers with such contempt.
Reader Comments (3)
Simon, were you approached for a response...if so then the right people take Forest seriously, and that's worth maintaining.
Just in case you thought your work was over, Simon http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/04/27151930/7
Or have you done that one already?
You might want to take the NZACR endorsement with a grain of salt: they are a front group funded by Imperial Tobacco.