This Is Guernsey

By Jess Stevenson

Condor passengers Faye Hubbard, left, and Tiffany Brown with their duty free purchases. The ferry operator says the loss of such sales, as recommended by the director of public health, could make travel more expensive. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0860493)

TICKET prices are likely to rise if duty free alcohol is scrapped, according to ferry operator Condor.

This year’s health report recommended scrapping duty free sales to improve the health and wellbeing of the island’s population, but the ferry operator said the loss of revenue would be likely to impact on ticket prices.

Condor Channel Islands general manager Yan Milner said sales of alcohol on its ships were already limited and regulated.

‘We ensure all passengers can only buy alcohol within the limits that are set by Guernsey Customs.

‘Duty free alcohol sales in Guernsey can only represent a small percentage of overall sales of alcohol,’ he said, and therefore the effect of preventing duty free sales would be insignificant.

Public health director Dr Stephen Bridgman is keen to see moves made to tackle alcohol abuse.

He says the substance remains the major cause of ill health in the Bailiwick and causes more than 20 deaths a year in Guernsey.

Mr Milner said Condor fully supported a responsible approach to the sale and consumption of alcohol, but implementing the recommendation would prove difficult.

‘Other jurisdictions would need to agree to it. The only thing they could do would be to decrease the personal allowance into Guernsey – but it wouldn’t stop people buying it on their way out,’ he said.

Mr Milner said when the UK and France stopped duty free sales of alcohol it had no impact on overall sales, which continued to rise.

‘There is a marginal price difference – if you buy it on the ship you are just as likely to buy it in a supermarket.’

The recommendation also has implications for the island’s airlines.

It is in addition to the suggestion that States-owned airline Aurigny should stop selling cigarettes.

A Flybe spokesman issued a warning to the States and said it had no plans to stop selling tobacco on its services to Guernsey.

‘Tobacco is a legal product and Flybe complies with the law by only allowing adults to purchase cigarettes and cigars on its services.

‘On the application of duties to alcohol, the States of Guernsey need to think long and hard before making any decisions that could undermine the island’s reputation, economy and the attractiveness of Guernsey as a business or leisure destination.’

A spokesman for Blue Islands said the airline did not sell cigarettes or alcohol and had no plans to do so.

Managing director of Aurigny Malcolm Hart said the promotion of cigarettes was a matter for legislators to decide, but it would not put itself at a disadvantage.

‘While we understand the reasons behind this recommendation by Dr Stephen Bridgman, we will not act unilaterally and put ourselves at a commercial disadvantage with other outlets such as airports and competing airlines.

‘Our duty free offering provides an invaluable revenue stream and allows us to be on a level playing field both with other airlines and with our operating airports, all of which market duty free products even more vociferously than we do.’

Chief Customs and Immigration officer Rob Prow said the service was aware of and concerned by the aggressive sale of duty free cigarettes, particularly in the major airports.

‘There is no doubt from the available evidence that price is a consideration, particularly with regard to young people, as to whether to take up smoking or not and by existing smokers as to whether to continue.

‘The service works extremely closely in partnership with the director of public health with regard to the monitoring and controlling of the importation of tobacco products.’

Randalls declined to comment.

Article posted on 22nd October, 2009 - 1.00pm