Ban on shop tobacco displays 'would decimate high street'

Eighty Coalition MPs are piling pressure on the Government not to press ahead with a ban on tobacco displays in shops and supermarkets, the Standard reveals today.

They have signed a petition urging ministers to rethink legislation passed by Labour amid fears it could "decimate" the high street and force small shops out of business.

The MPs, who organisers say include two ministers and two ministerial aides, also argue there is "no credible evidence" the move will reduce smoking.

The Government is considering whether or not to go ahead with sections of the 2009 Health Act forcing shops to put cigarettes and other tobacco products out of view. It is due to come into force for supermarkets in October and small shops two years later.

The 80 Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs say both parties should stick to pre-election pledges on the ban. The Tories vowed to bring the legislation back on a free vote while the Lib-Dems pledged to regulate, but not ban, displays. "Our understanding is that retailers would be content with either solution," the petition says.

Hove MP Mike Weatherley, who organised the petition, said: "What I do not want to do is see the decimation of our high street. All the letter says is 'show us the evidence'."

Health campaigners say the move will cut smoking and improve child health.