ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has reiterated its opposition to proposals in the Public Health Bill to introduce a tobacco register for retailers ahead of a debate on the Bill in the National Assembly for Wales today (December 8th)

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Compliance with tobacco regulations in the convenience sector is already very good, as shown by the recent successful implementation of the tobacco display ban. The current Scottish Tobacco Retail Register has seen very few retailers removed from the list as a result of non-compliance with tobacco, therefore we remain sceptical of its effectiveness.”

The Public Health Bill (Wales) proposes to introduce a register for retailers that sell tobacco.  Retailers could be charged £30 to register and an additional £10 per new store to go  on the Tobacco Retailer Register.  The aim is to support local authorities to get more guidance to retailers and to prevent underage sales.

Other proposals in the Bill include placing restrictions on the use of tobacco and nicotine inhaling devices (NIDs) such as electronic cigarettes in enclosed and substantially enclosed public and work places, and giving Welsh Ministers a regulation-making power to extend the restrictions to certain open spaces.

ACS submitted written evidence to the Health and Select Committee earlier this year, which is available  here