A CITY shopkeeper has slammed a ban on the display of cigarettes in small stores, claiming selling them now feels "underhand".

 

Small shops across the country have had to cover-up their cigarettes, cigars and rolling tobacco after laws came into force yesterday.

The Scottish Government legislation banning the displays is aimed at reducing children and young people's exposure to tobacco.

But some retailers believe the move is a further obstacle for small businesses which are already struggling.

Mohammad Ahmed, manager at the 24/7 store in Byres Road, organised the display cover for tobacco products around four months ago.

Mr Ahmed said: "We are really suffering round here. We have very high rents to pay and we're competing with so many big stores that our takings are going down.

"Covering up cigarette displays is just another thing for us to worry about. Of course, we've done it but it's very inconvenient.

"Inconvenient for the customer, for the person serving them. It's hard to tell where everything is and it takes too much time.

"Cigarettes are not illegal but now it feels like we have something to hide, like it's underhand."

The measure has been in place for large shops since 2013.

Some retailers have backed the move, saying it will contribute to a healthier society.

Saiba Singh, of Day and Night in Great Western Road, said: "It will take a bit of getting used to. I still don't know where to find everything.

"But I think it is a good thing. I think it will be better for everyone if they are out of sight.

"It means people might come to the shop and then forget to buy cigarettes because they can't see them.

"That means they'll be healthier."

Riaz Ehmad, of Newsbox in Renfrew Street, added: "I don't know if it will have any effect on people buying cigarettes.

"But it's not really been a problem covering the tobacco up for us.

"If it helps then it's a good thing."

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said it was a "positive" move for smaller retailers to join the rest of the industry in covering up tobacco displays.

She said: "When other forms of advertising were closed down the tobacco industry put an emphasis on making eye catching designs to try and bring in the next generation of consumers.

"Having cigarettes placed right next to sweets and other products makes it seem like it's a normal product.

"But it's not a normal product. Cigarettes are lethal. As a nation in Scotland it's about putting them out of sight, out of mind and out of fashion for our children."