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EDITORIAL: One cheer for Government's tobacco stance 

Tobacco plus government has in recent years only added up to one thing for retailers: trouble.

However, in the context of a generally oppressive and inequitable legislative regime, the government's recently published tobacco control strategy document was, so to speak, a breath of fresh air. . . .

It was encouraging that tackling the illicit trade was given such a high priority in the policy announcement, and that immediate investment will be made in more overseas officers. Crucially, the statement also acknowledged the major role that black market tobacco plays in 'recruiting' young smokers. It's cheap, it's plentiful and nobody selling it checks ID, so well done UK Govt for finally spotting that one. . . .

Yet they are still pushing on with display restrictions and fiddly new implementation guidelines surrounding price lists and restocking, and still considering plain packaging (an interesting one for the lawyers, that). So despite it being the best news for tobacco retailers for some time, it's still only one cheer rather than three.

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