State of Play (April 3rd 2011)

Again due to being busy, i have not had chance to talk about whats happened to the UK industry.

The Display Ban

For those of you who dont know, heres the story in a nutshell.

In 2008 the Labour government proposed a ban on the display of Tobacco and related products. At the time both the Conseratives and Liberal Democrates objected to the proposal. Under the plans Specialist Tobacconists (all 40ish of us), would be expempt, so long as NO tobacco or related products, could be seen from outside.

It all went a little quiet, Labour had planned to bring it to Supermarkets this year (2011) and smaller shops by 2013. After the election and change of government, we had hoped for a U-Turn on this.

Wednesday 9th March 2011, also the WHO’s “World No Smoking Day”. The UK Coalition government decided to continue with labours proposal but delay its implantation.  Now supermarkets will be dark by 2012 and smaller newsagents will get until 2015. I think the specialists still have the clause which makes us exempt.

Also plain packets is back on the table, after being picked back up again. This is a joke, if we have to hide it the design is pointless!

Me talking about this on BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12689221

So this is where we are now, the next 4 years are going to be interesting. The fight isnt over, the big boys and other lobbyists are still working. We might see so many brands coming out now, to give us a final chance to have freedom to choose your desired smoke. Not every smoker only smokes because he/she is hooked. Many of us enjoy the flavours, styles and tobaccos. I dont want to smoke the same things over and over, i want to experience the craftsmanship and history of the things we smoke.

If i only smoked for the high, i would smoke a E-Nicotine system. Hopfully boys and girls, we can still hang on. But the trade needs everyone, dont be a budget smoker if you enjoy it. Branch out try something new, give the little boys a go while you still can. Very soon we will be going to Cuba to visit there “Coffee Shops”, while sniffer dogs check for cigarillos.

The 2011 UK Budget

Now we got off scott free(in a way) with Tobacco Duty in the Emergency Budget. So this time round we all expected it to hurt. Rumours started flying; 25p-35p on cigarettes, banning of snuff, smokless and twist tobaccos & bringing pipe  tobacco tax in line with rolling to name a few. So when we heard 2% on top of inflation (4.4%) and a restructure of the way duty is done. We figured hey not to bad, its only later when everyone has the details we see it.

Cigarettes 33p(On Premium) to 50P (On Budget)
Rolling Tobbaco 12.5g +34p, 25g +67p & 50g +£1.134
Pipe Tobacco 25g +18p & 50G +15p
Handmade Cigars 40p – 90p
Small Cigars 10p – 15p

I don’t see where Premium and Budget meet, there is 3 teirs (Budget, Mid & Premium) This has seen those who buy cheap, because there cheap pay more and those who pay for there brand pay more, but its technically less……..somehow! Still is a hike of upto £3.50 a week more for the 20 a day man/woman.

Rolling tobacco was the bigest shock, the price looks crazy now. I feel guilty when i have to say the price now. £15 for many 50 gram packs, even price marked packs wont be far off soon. Those of you who smoke price marked GV, Cutters Choice, Gold Leaf or Amber Leaf go buy as much as you can afford. Come 3-4 weeks times these prices will be effecting you. This goes for those on price marked cigarettes too.

Pipe tobacco and cigars is still a hike, but a managable one. The smokers of the more choice leaf, get some lighter taxes. Still not as bad as rolling up.

So the prices are big again, hopefully we will see more on the pipe and budget cigarillos soon. Although this could see the HMRC coming after pipe and cigar smokers, like rollie smokers.