Independent retailer Paul Cheema is rallying the convenience sector to campaign against the “serious risk” the government’s generational ban on tobacco will pose on staff welfare, job cuts, and illicit trade.
Cheema runs two stores in Coventry with his family. He has devised a letter to business & trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds, as part of his ‘Protect Your Store, Have Your Say’ campaign, highlighting his concerns around the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The law, which aims to create a “smoke-free generation”, is expected to come into effect from 2027. It will make it illegal to sell tobacco or vape products to individuals born on or after 1 January 2009, in effect phasing out the legal sale of tobacco products to future generations.
Cheema’s letter, which has received 700 signatures from convenience retailers across the UK so far, stressed that the legislation could trigger violence and abuse against shopworkers.
“Abuse will increase by astronomical levels when those who are well into adulthood are denied their purchase,” Cheema told The Grocer. “It’ doesn’t play safe, especially when retail crime is already at an all-time high, and recruitment and retention of staff will be even more difficult.”
An increase in the refusal of sale would “only turn more customers to shops that are selling illicit tobacco instead”, he added.
“The people that are working their socks off in retail and providing services to communities are being hit by a double whammy of the generational ban and these illicit stores emerging up and down the country that are taking our trade.
“Our message to government is that these criminals should be fined tens of thousands of pounds or given a prison sentence, and have their business shut down.”
Cheema also highlighted the potential for job cuts across the sector as retailers lose sales on tobacco and vape products.
“Across the 55,000 convenience stores across the country, that could be 100,000 jobs that are lost because of the generational ban.”
Retailers can sign the letter to government at protectyourstore.co.uk.
“One collaborative voice is far stronger than single voices,” said Cheema. “It’s about the industry coming together to support an important campaign.”
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