How will corner shops display the prices of cigarettes when (or rather Big If) the proposed ban on open display of the packets comes in to force? Does competition law have anything to say on this?
Do ministers really think that the well being of society will increase if they damage, or even destroy, the viability of what is often the one legitimate commercial activity in some of the most depressed areas? Ministers were airily dismissing the estimated £500 cost of a shop refit (sounds far too low to me), & then there is the possible hit to profit margins
In these areas in particular it will become very hard to find legitimate supplies of tobacco, thus giving the criminal suppliers even freer rein
Have ministers really thought this through, or are they really so deluded as to kid themselves of widespread support from their fixed consutation exercise?
