Plans to help people quit smoking could lead to crime

New plans that would see cigarette displays be banned from shops may lead to an increase in black market cigarettes according to a new survey.

Many shopkeepers in Scotland are warning the government that new plans to forbid tobacco displays from their shops will lead to increased business for criminals who sell cigarettes. The potential plan was put forward with the hope that the law would help more people to quit smoking. A recent study has suggested the displays do influence smoking.

Smoking rates falling

Smoking rates in Scotland have recently dropped to below 25%for the first time in recorded history. These figures mirror a decline in smoking across the whole of the UK. The NHS has recently revealed that the amount of smokers that quit last year hit record numbers.

The NHS stop smoking services helped an 11% increase in the amount of people who were able to quit. The services used stop smoking aids such as patches and nicotine gum. They also helped a number of people to quit smoking using smoking treatments such as Champix. In fact, those who used Champix recorded a 60% success rate.

Scotland enforced a smoking ban in 2006, and the new plan to ban displays is seen as the next step in improving smoking cessation. However 58% of shopkeepers believe that the ban would lead to increased contraband cigarette sales. The cigarette black market is often related to other, more serious crimes.

“Important health issues”

“The tobacco industry has tried to divert attention away from the important health issues at stake by exaggerating fears based on unfounded claims” said Sheila Duffy of Ash Scotland. “There is no reason to think that adult smokers who currently buy their product legally from responsible retailers will suddenly switch to illegal sources because the product is no longer on display”.

Increased action from smoking cessation services is being called for. Smokers who are interested in quitting or receiving smoking treatments are advised to consult with their doctor.