Topping delivers wake-up call on WHO tobacco threat

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Speaking at the ACI Airport Trading Conference this week, International Travel Retail Confederation treasurer and Alpha Retail regional managing director Paul Topping provided another much-needed boost to the awareness campaign on the WHO (World Health Organization) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. He urged airports to establish their own level of activity and lobbying process from research, support for associations to a review of the financial impact. "Have you discussed the issue with your retailer?" said Topping. "Its important to remember this is an industry issue, not a tobacco issue." Airport delegates may have been surprised to learn that tobacco sales in European duty-free account for 35% of volume. In European airports the tobacco share rises to 49% of total.

Topping said Alpha Retail had conducted its own research, which it had shared with its airport partners. Among Alpha customers, 57% of people said they will not go into the shop in future if there is no tobacco offer. "Some countries, such as Singapore are in a position to abolish tobacco as soon as next year," said Topping. "Currently only 16 companies have put in financial support for the ITRC campaign and its coordination activities."

Philip Morris Worldwide Duty Free brand communication manager Maarten Kila presented statistics on the spending patterns of smokers and their importance to airport retailing. Smokers are more likely to visit a duty-free shop and when they do, they spend more on tobacco and a range of other goods. According to a Philip Morris survey 61% of smokers visit the duty-free shop on any given trip, compared to 39% of non-smokers. Average spend of smokers is $38 compared to $26 for non-smokers and almost one quarter of all cigarette purchases are gifts for others. "The message is to contact your government representatives," said Kila.

Imagine the headlines in one year's time, not three or five years from now: 'Chaos as duty-free tobacco loses surprise vote'. The tobacco loss would take with it a vital consumer segment. And the alcohol category is squarely on the list of other WHO health objectives, according to its most recent text. "Everyone has a responsibility to work locally and find out what is going on with the duty-free lobby," said Topping. "What are you going to do now?"

Comment: The health argument is a global issue for smokers and non-smokers alike and certain countries may eventually progress with a unilateral ban for this reason. Yet with its proposals the WHO is simply firing at the wrong target in seeking a global ban and is using its health funding to leverage the support of many developing nations. National health ministries and their representatives at the WHO debating sessions need to be made aware that the regulated duty-free industry - with a shop and a cash till - does not contribute in any way to the WHO's specified targets of smuggling, child smoking or indeed cigarette consumption in general. It is the responsibility of all of us to make this case in our own local markets.