Cash & carrys blast 'over the top' display ban rule

Wholesalers have been left baffled by an “over the top” rule in next year’s tobacco display ban that will leave cash & carry customers in England having to cover up cigarettes as they move from the tobacco room to the main depot.

Under the tobacco display ban, which becomes law on 6 April, it will be an offence to display tobacco products to anyone except tobacco trade customers in cash & carries.

The FWD has warned that wholesalers could fall foul of the law if non-tobacco customers spy cigarettes on trolleys. Having received guidance from the Department of Health, the FWD has advised C&C operators that “tobacco products must be covered while being moved through the premises to the till point”.

A source said: “The intention behind the ban is to prevent youth access to tobacco. This is ill-thought through, burdensome and utterly over the top.”