TOBACCO retailers feel they are not being given the opportunity to air their views on a proposed licensing scheme.

The reintroduction of tobacco licensing was one of a range of measures agreed by the States in March 2008.

Paperbox owner Philip Morgan (pictured) said the plans, which will require wholesalers and retailers of tobacco to pay for a sales licence, seemed ‘a bit ridiculous’ and he suggested HSSD had made up its mind without consulting retailers.

A letter was sent from Environmental Health to tobacco retailers on 27 May inviting them to a meeting to hear the proposals on Monday 30 June – a non-existent date. It was later confirmed that the meeting would take place on Tuesday 28 June.

Mr Morgan argued that the fact HSSD had not produced an agenda for the meeting suggested its decision was a foregone conclusion.

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