Priority should be education

I was interested to read your article of August 15 ‘Plain packaging for all tobacco products will help to save lives’. As a responsible retailer with a shop in Leamington I never sell any age-restricted goods to minors and I agree wholeheartedly that youngsters should be prevented from accessing tobacco products.

However, I do not agree with the statement that there is evidence that plain packaging would stop people - particularly youngsters - from taking up smoking. There are reports coming out of Australia that show there has been a big increase in illegal tobacco sales and an increase in overall tobacco consumption since plain packaging was introduced. In addition, the Australian government’s own report shows an increase in smoking rates amongst adolescents and young adults since the introduction of plain packs.

Most of the people I talk to believe that youngsters are tempted to start smoking because of peer pressure and their desire to appear grown up or rebellious.

The priority should therefore be to improve education and do more to prevent youngsters from accessing tobacco products.

For example, the authorities should encourage and support youngsters to carry proof- of- age identity cards. They should also deal more effectively with people who sell smuggled and counterfeit tobacco – especially as they tend to target young people with their cheap prices.

Underage smoking is a serious problem that needs to be tackled with sensible, pragmatic and effective legislation. Plain packaging is none of the above.

Sunder Sandher, independent retailer, Leamington