Plain packaging protests by tobacconists

Tobacconists in six EU countries yesterday demonstrated against measures being considered by the European Commission to restrict cigarette packaging and display, according to a story by Dave Keating for the European Voice.
As part of a proposed revision of the EU’s tobacco products directive scheduled to be put forward by the end of the year, the Commission is considering recommending that tobacco products should be sold in ‘plain packaging’ and that tobacconists should be forbidden from displaying cigarettes in their stores.
The European Confederation of Tobacco Retailers (CEDT) was reported as saying that its members in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Austria and Poland took part in the protest. Participants covered their shop displays with protest banners, sent letters to national governments and met with politicians. A press conference was organised next to the Polish president’s house.
“These demagogic and completely useless measures will cut tax revenues and turn out of house and home hundreds of thousands of people working in the retail sector, thus fueling organised crime without bringing any positive effect for public health,” said Giovanni Risso, the confederation’s chairman.