Len Tawn of the Hereford Tobacconist fears for future of shop

A HEREFORD shopkeeper fears his business could be stubbed out due to a ban on displaying tobacco.

The government confirmed last week that retailers will be forced to conceal cigarettes from customers from April 2015.

But it’s “ludicrous”

according to Len Tawn of the Hereford Tobacconist, who faces trading from an empty shop in St Owen’s Street.

The independent retailer – and non-smoker – will be forced to hide his niche range of loose tobacco in four years because of the new ruling.

Anti-smoking groups have welcomed the ban and a consultation on the feasibility of selling cigarettes in plain packaging.

But Mr Tawn fears the move will only hurt him and the government’s coffers by pushing sales to the black market.

“If you’re going to put everything into a white packet then people don’t really know what they’re buying,” said Mr Tawn.

“You’re not going to have a distinction between the man in the back street selling knock-offs and the proper stuff.

“I sell loose tobacco and everyone comes to see what I’m selling.

“I can’t go into a back room, empty it into a bag and say ‘here it is’ because you need to know what you’re buying.”

Staff at the Chocolate Box in Ledbury, which also stocks tobacco, said they were against the changes but insisted that regular customers would still buy their favourite cigarettes if they were under the counter.

Alison Merry, public health consultant for NHS Herefordshire, said the ban was a step forward and could deter future smokers.

“Around two-thirds of smokers want to give up and by removing a visible display you’re encouraging that,” she said.

“It’s also very welcome because the costs of treating smoking-related diseases is very high.”