Specifically LABA aims:

• To continually monitor the needs of its members and the broader business community and effectively respond to the changing needs of its members which the business environment generates.
• To effectively represent its members at all levels within the business community by actively driving forward relevant business issues and seeking clarification of issues which may, do or will affect its members:
• To actively seek partnerships with other organisations which can assist in the attainment of LABAs mission;
• To communicate and inform members of issues and initiatives which can assist in the better management of their operations; and
• To facilitate opportunities where effective networking can occur for its members.

Survey of Retailers shows tobacco ban will damage business – 80% say they will suffer

LABA, together with Asian Voice Newspaper surveyed 500 small UK retailers about the point of sale display ban for tobacco products which was incorporated into the 2009 Health Act, and is due to come into force in 2013. Thereafter, the sale of cigarettes will be managed from a locked box under the counter. The findings were:

• Small retailers overwhelmingly believe (80%) that the ban will damage their business and that it will have a significant negative impact (61%). There is only a slight variation between the urban and the rural retailer, with the former thinking urban areas are marginally more likely to be affected (85%) than the latter (76%).
• Negative impact includes the potential loss of knock-on sales. On average more than half (53%) of customers who go into small retailers' shops to buy cigarettes also buy other products, while a quarter (25%) believe shoplifting will increase while they are occupied with the locked box system.
• While one third (36%) of small retailers think the purpose of the legislation is to reduce the number of young people smoking, just one in ten think that young people will be discouraged from smoking if cigarettes are not displayed. Three in five (62%) think there are better ways of discouraging young people than the point of sale display ban.

LABA president, Jaspal Minhas says:

"The poll results were clear: retailers up and down the country do not think this will work and more importantly will damage livelihoods. We will carry on this fight on behalf of retailers and urge other retailers and organisations to follow suit."