One in 10 corner shop owners has said they would consider closing down if the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law.
With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill returning to Parliament yesterday, a survey of 500 corner shops reveals that thousands of stores are on the brink and could be pushed over the edge by further restrictions on their businesses.
The findings prompted convenience retailer Paul Cheema, founder of retailer platform C-Talk and leader of the Protect Your Store campaign, to hand-deliver 1,435 signed letters from shop owners directly to Business Secretary Peter Kyle at Westminster.
Cheema stated that letters represent the growing frustration among convenience retailers, who feel ignored despite repeatedly warning that the legislation could devastate local businesses and threaten jobs across the UK.
The survey, commissioned by C-Talk and carried out by Merlin Strategies, revealed that four in five (79%) retailers view the Bill as an unprecedented threat to their business.
More than a third (35%) said they would need to lay off employees or reduce hours, while over a quarter (26%) warned they would have to raise prices across the board to compensate. One in 10 retailers said they would consider closing their store permanently if the Bill becomes law.
The proposed legislation would make it illegal for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to ever buy tobacco. It also includes powers to restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes – measures retailers say will only push consumers towards the black market.
Four in five (76%) respondents fear the new rules will drive more people to buy illicit products, compared to just one in four (24%) who believe they will help smokers quit.
“Retailers are in a world of pain right now with higher NICs, higher business rates and higher wage costs all in the last year,” said Cheema.
“On top of that, the government now wants to slap more regulations on us with their Tobacco and Vapes Bill – bringing in an unworkable generational ban and reducing access to information for those wanting to make better choices, all while failing to prevent the illicit trade.
“We’ve written, we’ve called, we’ve tried every way we can to be heard – but the government still isn’t listening. So, I’m taking things into my own hands and bringing all 1,435 letters straight to their doorstep. Retailers deserve to be heard, and this delivery makes that impossible to ignore.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed its three readings in the House of Commons between November 2024 and March 2025. If approved in the House of Lords, the age restrictions on tobacco sales will take effect on 1st January 2027. Additional rules and details will be determined later through further legislation.
