Forcing tobacco products under the counter would encourage tobacco smuggling, hamper NPD and hit convenience store sales, according to independents in The Grocer's latest Top 50 poll. A massive 92% of retailers disagree with health minister Dawn Primarolo's proposals, unveiled last month, to keep tobacco products "out of sight, out of mind", and the same number say the proposals, if implemented, could lead to further problems such as higher crime and added expense to their business. "It could have a dramatic impact on the sector's biggest footfall driver and one of its most profitable commodities," says one retailer. "It is another attack on the sale of a legal product by the do-good brigade," adds another. "The solutions from government to all these problems falls on retailers. What next, ban alcohol displays?" They also echo concerns from Retailers Against Smuggling, the campaign led by the Tobacco Alliance, that forcing tobacco products under the counter could encourage smuggling. "Concealing tobacco under the counter could encourage some smokers to buy from rogue traders, " says one retailer. "Concealing tobacco from view makes it easier for traders of smuggled product to infiltrate and blend it into the supply chain and could hamper the enforcement effort against such rogue traders." Many retailers are also concerned that hiding cigarettes could hamper NPD. "It will impact on NPD because manufacturers will be prevented from displaying new products prominently," says one retailer. Another adds: "I can't see tobacco companies investing in a tobacco gantry under the counter and out of sight. They won't be able to promote new brands and price-marked packs." Some 77% of retailers say the proposals would reduce their tobacco sales, while 85% feel the proposals will not reduce the number of smokers. However, the proposals could encourage retailers to become less reliant on tobacco sales, believes one retailer. "It may encourage retailers to look at other commodities and licensed drinks for turnover growth," he says. "This is a great opportunity to develop fresh food sales."