Cigarette sales remain steady following introduction in December of a standard olive-brown pack with large graphic health warnings for all brands, according to the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).

However AACS members complain costs have risen due to factors that include re-training staff, preparing stock returns for non-compliant product and implementing new inventory management procedures, the association said in a statement 11 Feb. No sales data were provided. (pi)