Industry debates tobacco "code of conduct"

Gavin Lipsith

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A voluntary code of conduct was among measures discussed at the tobacco workshop in Cannes

 Travel-retail executives discussed the merits of a self-imposed marketing code at this morning's tobacco workshop at the TFWA World Exhibition. The proposal was among measures mooted in order to defend the duty-free tobacco category from further persecution at the hands of the World Health Organization and the anti-tobacco lobby, and prompted a mixed response from the less than 100 delegates.

Aer Rianta International-Middle East managing director John Sutcliffe suggested that the industry become socially responsible with regard to the tobacco category, citing instances of seeing cigarettes sold in close proximity to confectionery and toys in duty-free stores. Such practices automatically give proponents of a duty-free tobacco ban the moral high ground, said Sutcliffe, and the industry should take the initiative to market tobacco responsibly to show that legislation is not necessary.

Dubai Duty Free managing director Colm McLoughlin pointed out that newsagents around the world sell confectionery and tobacco side by side, while Alpha Retail managing director David King dismissed a code, saying that the industry should not act as lawmakers and keep making concessions to the anti-tobacco lobby. Session moderator Doug Newhouse's request for a show of hands revealed that less than half the delegates were in favour of a voluntary marketing code.

The session was opened by a presentation from representatives of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores, Latin American association ASUTIL, the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association and the Middle East Duty Free Association, updating the regional campaign. The associations urged the industry to act locally to keep tabs on threats as they develop to ensure they do not materialise.