European retailers today signed a declaration opposing proposals for plain cigarette packaging, a ban on the display of any tobacco products in shops and restrictions on additive ingredients in cigarettes.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that retail associations from 11 EU member countries on Monday joined forces to fight proposals for tougher tobacco which follow an EC consultation late last year about what further steps should be taken to reduce the attraction of tobacco.
Tobacco retailers say harsher measures will threaten half a million small businesses and will not have a major impact on cutting smoking. (pi)