KEY POINTS:
Cabinet is expected to discuss banning cigarette displays in shops within the next two weeks.
A parliamentary committee recommended the ban on tobacco and cigarette displays in a report released yesterday.
A spokeswoman for Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said the minister had been waiting for the committee's report before taking a paper to cabinet.
That could happen as early as next Monday, the spokeswoman told NZPA.
The health select committee made the recommendation after considering a petition signed by more than 20,000 people in support of a ban.
The National Party, in a minority view, said there needed to be more evidence before implementing a ban.
Advertising tobacco products is banned but they can still be displayed in shops.
The Health Ministry said there were more than 10,000 retail outlets selling tobacco products, usually displayed in large, highly visible units.
The Association of Convenience Stores said tobacco products accounted for about 37 per cent of members' annual sales, and moving display units would cost each retailer up to $6000.
The association said it expected revenue would decline, and risk to staff would be heightened if they had to take their eyes off customers to get cigarettes from under counters.
The lobby group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) welcomed the committee's recommendation and said tobacco should not be treated like other products.
"It kills half the people who use it, yet for too long we have allowed these addictive and deadly poisons to be sold next to the milk and chocolates," said ASH director Ben Youdan.
- NZPA
