Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall said action is needed to protect tobacco retailers, he said “many will not be able to keep their shops open” until the planned 2021 tobacco regulations review.

Speaking in Parliament at an event hosted by the Tobacco Retailer’s Alliance, Mann told an audience of MPs and retailers: “Tobacco independents are becoming increasingly victims of over regulation that stifles trade and stops retailers from thriving.”

TRA spokesperson and retailer Suleman Khonat agreed: “Regulation is a big cost for retailers, The TRA is calling for a full and frank process of engagement to assess what could be done as we are leaving the EU to ensure business burdens are reduced.”

The event saw the launch of a new report by the TRA – a Fair Deal for Tobacco Retailers. It suggests 16 points of action needed to “provide a fair and even playing field for legitimate retailers.” See below for a full list of demands.

The MP said local shopkeepers best represent “British entrepreneurial spirit” and told TRA members that the government “Needs to think seriously as to what we can do to unburden, help and assist retailers.”

According to the TRA’s research, tobacco sales represent a third of each small store’s profits and the illicit trade costs £36,000 a year in sales to each store. However, the TRA’s members feel a licensing scheme based on alcohol licensing would not be fit for purpose with 80% rejecting the idea. According to the ACS, retailers are also against the government’s ‘track and trace’ proposals.

The demands by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance are

• A hard limit on tobacco imports after Brexit
• no tax increases until an independent review of current taxes takes place
• Stricter penalties for illicit sellers
• Naming and shaming of more illicit retailers
• Punish landlords and websites when illicit sales take place in their premises
• Dedicated anti-illicit hotline
• More tech to identify legal and illicit products
• Free retailer registration scheme
• More funding for anti-illicit enforcement
• Tougher sentences for repeat offenders
• Police to investigated every retail crime
• Review of trading standards effectiveness
• Better engagement between trading standards and retailers
• Repeal of tobacco control legislation that negatively impacts retailers
• No new legislation on tobacco until a full review of existing legislation
• Repeal EU limits on tobacco pack sizes