Stores no longer permitted to display cigarettes

Cigarettes in stores aren’t gone, they’re just hiding.

As of July 1, vendors across Alberta were required to remove all advertising and displays of tobacco products and keep cigarettes out of sight, according to the Tobacco Reduction Act, which came into effect at the beginning of 2008.

It may mean putting them under the counter, disassembling “power walls” or hanging covers to shroud cigarette displays, as was done behind the counter at Mac’s on Patricia Street in Jasper.

Co-owner Geno Tassoni said he has no problem with the change.

“It’s good if it distracts youth from smoking,” Tassoni said. “Hopefully it does what it’s intended to do.”

According to the Alberta government, this change is part of a three-step process meant to reduce the number of young people who start smoking, encourage smokers to quit, and cut down second-hand smoke exposure.

The first step was in January of this year when smoking was banned in workplaces and public places across the province, as well as smoking within five metres of public doorways.

In January 2009, pharmacies, health-care facilities and public post-secondary schools will no longer be permitted to sell tobacco.

Sue Gere, a smoker who has tried to quit several times, said she didn’t understand why cigarettes in stores would be concealed.

“They’re pushing it a bit too far with that,” Gere said, while strolling down Patricia, butt in hand. “If they’re going to smoke, they’re going to smoke.”

Though not everyone supports the changes, Micky Elabdi, spokesperson for Alberta Health and Wellness, said she doesn’t anticipate much resistance from retailers.

“The public certainly is well-aware of things that are happening,” she said. “Since many months ago there’s been such a strong interest in learning the rules under the new regulation.”

Elabdi said the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission has been working with vendors to inform them of the requirements, and that many larger stores updated their displays early.

Retailers who do not comply can face fines from $1,000 to $100,000 under the Tobacco Reduction Act, Elabdi added.