OPINION: 7 days to speak out!

The deadline of the Government’s plain packaging consultation is now just a few days away on the 10th August.

If you have not already done so, I would urge you to respond and ensure that the concerns of the retail trade are heard loud and clear.

There are 3 ways to respond to the consultation:

1. Complete the official response form on the Department of Health website
2. Email your views to: tobaccopacks@dh.gsi.gov.uk
3. Post your views to:

Tobacco Packs Consultation

Department of Health

7th Floor, Wellington House

133 – 155 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8UG

It does not have to be a long message, simply explain how plain packaging would affect your business.

Remember to think about:

• The impact on your profitability
• The difficulties the move could cause in-store
• Will the plans make any difference to the youth smoking problem?

Here are the reasons why award-winning retailer Kishor Patel is opposed to the proposed plans on the plain packaging on tobacco:

1. It will create confusion
2. It will increase crime, including counterfeiting, smuggling and duty evasion
3. It will take away consumers’ freedom of choice
4. Big brands contribute millions to the local and global economies
5. Smokers will not be deterred from looking for their brand elsewhere
6. The Government needs to do substantially more in early education to teach young people about the health impacts of smoking
7. Plain packaging will slow service at tills
8. Ordering, stock replenishment and stocktaking will take significantly longer.

Next steps

Once the consultation is closed, the Government is expected to make a decision within 3 – 6 months. In the meantime you can step up the pressure by contacting your local MP. You can find out who your local MP is here.