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NSW tobacco display ban: retailers left with no time to comply

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the Rees Government has delayed handing down proposed tobacco display regulations, leaving NSW retailers with no time to comply before the legislation takes effect on 1 July 2009. 

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said thousands of small to medium sized retailers across the state would not be given a chance to comply with their obligations which could total up to $30,000 per store.*

“Under the proposed tobacco display ban, store owners can be fined or banned from selling tobacco products if cigarette packets are within the view of customers. They also must also reconfigure their operations to allow for only one point of sale for tobacco products.  But the timeframes for compliance are completely unworkable,” Evans said.

“There has still been no word from Government and at this stage it seems retailers may only have one week to comply. That’s one week to change their procedures and invest in staff training for customer service and restocking issues, as well as a complete refit of current displays for newer retail outlets.

“The bill for reconfiguring existing shop displays alone may amount to between $6000 and $10,000 per store.* Many SME retailers don’t have the ability to draw down this type of cash in such an exceedingly tight timeframe.  

“Retailers are also concerned about consumers’ reaction to the changes. As we are seeing with the implementation of the plastic bag ban in South Australia, retail workers will be subjected to customer rage after reports of frustration and abuse.

“Given the majority of workers in SME retail are young, the issues of OH&S in this environment loom large with non-smoking shoppers having to wait extra time for the tobacco consumers to be served, creating further tension for the retail worker.

“Retailers are calling on the Rees Government to rethink the timeframes around the proposed tobacco laws and allocate funding to make consumers aware of the changes. While this may not quell frustrations it may assist with lessening the number of altercations at the point of purchase,” Evans said.

For over 105 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia’s $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.5 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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