Retailers hit back at tobacco laws

EUROPEAN retailers have joined forces to fight tougher tobacco laws which they say threaten half-a-million small businesses.

Retail associations from 11 countries met in Brussels to sign a declaration opposing EU Commission proposals for “plain” cigarette packaging, a ban on the display of any tobacco products in shops and restrictions on addictive ingredients in cigarettes.

The planned moves would tighten EU-wide controls which already stipulate maximum limits for nicotine and tar content of cigarettes, written health warnings on packets and a ban on terms such as ‘light’.