New research from Palmer and Harvey shows that a third of retailers have still not heard of the EU Tobacco Products Directive legislation.
Not only this, 75 per cent do not think their customers are aware of the new legislation, according to research by the leading delivered wholesaler.
EUTPD2 will limit pack sizes to a minimum of 20 and increase health warnings on packs. Retailers have until 20 May 2017 to sell non-compliant stock.
Palmer and Harvey, in conjunction with him! research and consulting, interviewed retailers at its recent Pro-retail show, and found that 63 per cent are concerned about the new tobacco legislation.
However, almost a quarter admitted that they do not know that the minimum quantity of a pack of cigarettes will change, while 34 per cent are unaware that roll-your-own tobacco pouches of less than 30g will be banned.
Nearly half of respondents, meanwhile, said they did not know that flavoured and menthol cigarettes will be banned in 2020.
Martyn Ward, Managing Director of Palmer and Harvey said: “This is a huge change to tobacco regulation and it is worrying that not all retailers are aware of the legislation yet.
“This research shows that tobacco companies and wholesalers need to ensure that retailers are fully informed about EUTPD2 as soon as possible. This is why we have set up a EUTPD2 communications team to help advise retailers during this critical time.
“We will be doing everything we can to help and support retailers through this change and minimise impact to their business.”
Palmer and Harvey is introducing a raft of initiatives in coming months to help retailers and their customers understand EUTPD2 and how it could impact on their business, including a ‘guide to EUTPD2’ this month.
