Coventry retailer Paul Cheema has called ASH’S comments on what the smokefree generation will mean for businesses “for the birds”.
In a letter to Wholesale Manager, Mr Cheema questions the wisdom of smokers moving from tobacco to healthier products like fresh fruit being an opportunity for retailers.
The letter is below.
Dear Sir,
I see that Hazel Cheeseman the CEO of the charity ASH has once again been telling small retailers how to run our businesses and make a profit. She even tells us that her first job was working in a small shop selling tobacco products so clearly, she knows all there is to know about this category, and its importance to corner shops in 2025.
And while she is right to say nicotine products are only one part of our business, what she fails to say is that it makes up almost one in every five pounds spent in local shops. The changes proposed in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be huge, not just affecting what we sell but also do little to help existing smokers. She talks of the business “opportunity” of moving smokers away from tobacco products to “healthier products” like fresh fruit, but that is for the birds. She can’t seriously be telling smokers that instead of cigarettes they should munch on an apple. Instead, people will just get illicit products from irresponsible retailers, which harm local retailers who are part of their communities. With all this amazing business acumen, I wonder if she might be in the running for a best retailer of the year award?
Rather than providing patronising advice like checking IDs, something which is the leading cause of abuse and violence against shop workers, and which responsible retailers already do, Ms Cheeseman should be working with us to provide practical solutions. Until that time, I doubt many retailers will appreciate her ‘top tips’ for business growth.
Paul Cheema
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