Independent retailers are set to benefit from two omissions from this week's Queen's Speech outlining government plans for the next parliamentary session.
Bills were expected to ban tobacco advertising and introduce 24 hour drinks trading, but both were left out.
The exclusion of tobacco advertising means the subject is unlikely to be touched on in parliament this year, and future implementation will be led by the EU.
Stephen Thompson, marketing director of Scottish c-store chain Morning Noon and Night, said the omission would result in a rise in tobacco related promotional activity this year.
He said: "Cigarette companies have been fighting this legislation for some time. They were scared the ban would kick in in June, and so promotional activity had been put on hold. Now they have a free rein until at least next November."
John Carlise, director of public affairs at the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, said the UK government would risk duplicating pending EU legislation if it put its own guidelines through.
He said: "The EU legislation will be complete by the end of 2002, and implementation will probably get underway in 2003."
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Trevor Dixon said: "The critical issue for retailers is that regulations attached to a future Bill governing advertising in stores are workable and are proportionate."
Major multiples vowed to keep up pressure for change on licensing. Sainsbury's licensing manager Eric Thompson said: "I assume the government does not see it as that important. Hopefully it will be resurrected in a couple of years. Until then it will be business as usual. We want to see 24 hour trading and we will continue to lobby for change."
Responsibility for liquor licensing has been moved from the Home Office to the new Culture, Media and Sport ministry under Tessa Jowell.
A spokeswoman for the ministry said: "The Bill has not been shelved. It will be brought forward when parliamentary time permits. At the moment there are other priorities."
The British Retail Consortium was disappointed by the government's decision. A spokesman said: "The powers governing the off-trade are antiquated and a new Bill would have allowed a much needed fresh approach."
Trevor Dixon said the delay would give the ACS another opportunity to make its case for equal treatment of forecourt stores in licence applications.
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