Press Release from Stay Displays Coalition

New Plans to Ban Tobacco Displays No April Fool’s Joke for Retailers [Stay Displays Coalition]
Government plans for re-consultation with the public over proposals to ban tobacco displays are a cruel joke for Mum and Dad retailers around the country.

The Stay Displays Coalition of independent retailers fought the exact same proposals during the last Nanny State Government run by Helen Clark.

“When the National Government took power, John Key stated that there would be no ban on displays of tobacco,” says Stay Displays’ representative Richard Green from Palmerston North.

Mr Green said the National Government refused in March 2009 to impose a ban because there was no evidence to support the claims made by the anti-tobacco lobbyists. “There has been no new evidence to justify reintroducing proposals for an outright ban on tobacco displays. It’s like Helen Clark and her Nanny State puppets have just been put back in office. This has come as a big blow to retailers.”

“Who would have thought that this Government wants to take away the consumer’s right to choose what products they can buy and wants to dissolve the rights of small, family-owned, community-based retail outlets to display what remains a legal product.”

“There is no international or domestic evidence that says tobacco displays make people smoke. It’s time this government stopped being manipulated by anti-tobacco lobbyists in Wellington and start listening to the people who support this country and its economy – the small retailer.

“We are not opposed to proposals that will reduce smoking, but this hasn’t anywhere else. Why has John Key now – after pressure from the Maori Party – gone back on his decision of March 2009.”

More than 200 retailers have signed up to the Stay Displays website and more than 7000 individuals have signed a petition against a ban when we last fought these proposals, Mr Green said.

“Stay Displays is back. Our Mum and Dad retailers are an important part of this country’s economy and community. We will fight these proposals again,” Mr Green promised. Stay Displays was formed in 2007 by owners of dairies and convenience stores. For more information, go to wwwstaydisplays.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media