Tobacco display ban criticised

The black market cigarette and tobacco trade could flourish if a law banning retailers from displaying tobacco products was introduced, the NZ Association of Convenience Stores says.

Association chairman Roger Bull said new research from Britain showed three quarters of retailers were concerned that a display ban would displace tobacco sales to the black market.

Displaying tobacco products discouraged black market trading because authorities were able to ensure tobacco products were legitimate and carried appropriate health warnings, Mr Bull said.

"If you've got them on display, they've got to have all the certificates and anyone can come in and check.

"There is not the opportunity for the black market to flourish like it does when they are not open to display."

New Zealand retailers were concerned about the impact of black market trading on their businesses, Mr Bull said. In the year to June, New Zealand Customs seized a monthly average of 51,000 cigarettes and 13,000 grams of tobacco illegally imported into the country.

The Government should take retailers' concerns into consideration when looking into banning the display of tobacco products, Mr Bull said.

A private member's bill seeking to ban the display of tobacco products has been submitted by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway, but is not currently under parliamentary consideration.

- NZPA