Media Coverage

Customs stems unprecedented flood of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco
Customs Press Release,19 December 2007

Australian Customs has detected unprecedented quantities of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco over the past year destined for the domestic market.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=9804%20

NSW Government regulations & red tape to cost small business millions
Australian Association of Convenience Stores Press Release, 24 June 2009

Retail display bans in NSW will cost convenience stores $167 million in the first year alone, and over $100 million every year after once introduced, and $38 million extra compared to the same laws in Victoria and Western Australia.

http://aacs.org.au/aacs/documents/AACS_press_release_24_June_09.doc

Illegal smoke trade has plenty of puff
The Australian, 4 July 2009

NSW will soon be the first state to introduce a ban on the display of cigarettes in shops, with other states to follow. The article also addresses the issue of the illicit tobacco trade, which includes both "chop-chop" and filter cigarettes.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25730607-2702,00.html

Tobacco tax hike will "boost smuggler profits".
International Business Times, 13th July 2009

A proposed hike in cigarette tax will make the importation of illegal tobacco more profitable, potentially enticing new players into what is already a booming criminal market.

http://www.ibtimes.com.au/articles/20090713/tobocco-tax-hike-will-quot-boost-smuggler-profits-quot.htm

Tobacco display ban criticised
New Zealand Herald Thursday Aug 13, 2009

The black market cigarette and tobacco trade could flourish if a law banning retailers from displaying tobacco products was introduced, the NZ Association of Convenience Stores says.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10590544

Tobacco ban attacked by expert: Similar move in Canada led to shops closing and jobs being lost, says store boss
The Press and Journal, 19 March 2009

Ministers claimed youth smoking fell after the display of tobacco products was banned in Canada. The CCSA says the evidence does not back the assertion and that the ban put numerous small shops out of business.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1130204?UserKey=

Alarming rate of contraband tobacco use by teens: CMAJ
Canwest News Service, 8 Sept. 2009

Despite substantial controls on tobacco, youths continue to smoke, whether it’s contraband or regular cigarettes. Nearly one in five packs of cigarettes lit up by Canadian teen smokers are contraband products says a new report from the CMAJ.

http://www.canada.com/health/Alarming+rate+contraband+tobacco+teens+CMAJ/1971636/story.html

Contraband Cigarettes Undermining Tobacco-Control Efforts in Canada
AHN, 8 Sept. 2009

Making cigarettes more expensive, and other tobacco control measures, are causing more children in Canada to turn to contraband smokes, according to a CMAJ study.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7016331920?Contraband%20Cigarettes%20Undermining%20Tobacco-Control%20Efforts%20In%20Canada

Government wins vote on banning tobacco displays from shops
Telegraph.co.uk, 7 May 2009

In Iceland since the tobacco display ban came into force 30% of small shops have closed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5287055/Government-wins-vote-on-banning-tobacco-displays-from-shops.html

Over 600 newsagents face closure, group warns
The Irish Times, 13 February 2009

According to the Convenience Stores Newsagents Association (CSNA) which represents 1,500 small and medium sized retailers around the country, about a dozen stores are closing down each week.The CSNA said that while the recession has had an impact on convenience stores, new regulations such as tobacco display bans and compliance issues have also hit shop owners.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0213/breaking50.htm

Newsagents’ group opposes tobacco retailing legislation
The Irish Times, 26 March, 2009

A forthcoming ban on the display of tobacco, tobacco products and tobacco advertising in all shops is "too onerous" and should be delayed for a number of years, according to the chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagent Association.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0326/1224243450412.html

Counterfeit cigarette sellers will be prosecuted
Tribune, 6 September 2009

The commission is set to introduce a new tax stamp present on all cigarette packets sold in Ireland as part of a massive crackdown on the burgeoning black market.

http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2009/sep/06/counterfeit-cigarette-sellers-will-be-prosecuted/

Cigarette smuggling rampant in Donegal
Donegal Democrat, 11 August 2009

A Donegal retailer has warned that many small shops and newsagents will be forced to close unless measures are undertaken to stem the flood of illegal cigarette smuggling and counterfeit substitution in the county. Donegal Town shop owner, Maurice Timony, believes that unless the issue of tobacco smuggling is addressed, then Donegal is likely to see more and more retailers being forced to close their shutters permanently.

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Cigarette-smuggling-rampant-in-Donegal.5539956.jp

Sale of black market cigarettes rife in Athlone
Westmeath Independent, 12 August 2009

The sale of black market cigarettes in Athlone is rife and is resulting in job losses at legitimate retailers around the town, [according to] a local businessman.

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2009/08/12/390366-sale-of-black-market-cigarettes-rife-in-athlone

Must hide cigarettes behind counter
Demokraten, December 15, 2009

From the beginning of this year you can buy but not see tobacco at kiosks, gas stations and grocery stores. "I doubt that this regulation will have any effect," said smoker Benedicte Gudjonsson.

http://www.demokraten.no/lokalnytt/article4759777.ece

Click here for the Engish translation

Out of sight, out of mind?
Minerva, December 31, 2009

The State has now tucked away tobacco products so that we can not see them anymore. For our own good, of course.

http://www.minerva.as/?p=8961

Click here for the Engish translation

The tobacco ban is ridiculous
Indre Akershus Blad, January 6, 2010

With effect from 1 January this year, it is no longer allowed to have visible tobacco products in retail outlets. Owner Frode Sletner of YX gas station Aursmoen calls the Health Directorate's order a joke.

http://www.indre.no/lokale_nyheter/article4791684.ece

Click here for the Engish translation

Russian protest
Gjengangeren, January 18, 2010

Although it is more than ten years since Sweden's former industry minister Bjorn Rosengren called Norway the world's last Soviet state, Lars-Petter Arnesen is convinced that it is still true. Now more than ever.

http://www.gjengangeren.no/nyheter/russisk-protest-1.1484422

Click here for the English translation

Towards a Nanny state
Venstre, January 20, 2010

“By allowing the state and health care to become a guardian of how life must be lived, I think we achieve the opposite, namely that people are passive and unable to take responsibility in their own lives. From a public health and prevention perspective, this is more damaging,” writes Trine Skei Grande

http://www.venstre.no/artikkel/25430

Click here for the Engish translation

Other

Government faces backbench rebellion over tobacco display ban in shops
Guardian Unlimited, October 11, 2009

Clause in bill would make retailers keep all smoking products out of sight, which critics say would dramatically slash revenue. Labour MPs will tomorrow rebel against a flagship government anti-smoking initiative that they fear will drive many small shops out of business.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/oct/11/labour-rebellion-tobacco-shops-bill


Ban on cigarette displays ‘will ruin corner shops’
Kentish Gazette, October 15, 2009

ANTI-smoking campaigners say it will stop children buying cigarettes, but a Whitstable shopkeeper says a ban on cigarette vending machines and on cigarette displays will ruin her business.

Click here for the full article

Retailers protest at ban on tobacco displays
Irish News, October 26, 2009

A ban on displaying tobacco products in stores in the Republic is putting money from tills straight into the pockets of criminals, shopkeepers said yesterday.

Click here for the full article