Not allowed to show tobacco in the tobacco shop?

[Greyson]

So, I just had a bit of a weird experience today. I haven't actually tried to buy pipe tobacco from a supermarket before, but as I was there I thought I'd see if they had any lighter fluid for the awesome zippos I was bombed with last month, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to see what pipe tobacco they had.

So its a Sunday, they close early on a Sunday, usually 4pm, and I got there at about 3.20pm. I went straight to the tobacco kiosk as its the first thing in the shop, but it looked wrong. There was a man and a till, but behind him all the cabinets were covered by solid wooden shutters, and locked with some very serious looking steel locks. Confused, I asked the man 'Are you closed up early? Am I too late?' He blinked at me for a moment then said 'Oh. No, we are open. We just aren't allowed to display tobacco any more.'

Not allowed to display tobacco. In the tobacco kiosk. Its not enough that they put the products in a separate section by themselves, barricaded with a walled off area and manned by personnel who's only job is to make sure its legal to sell to you. Now you also have to guess what they have in stock?! If I go to the drinks section, do I have to ask a man to bring out the alcohol from a hidden vault? I'm pretty sure alcohol isn't good for kids either. Heart disease is the No.1 killer worldwide, but they still have bags of chocolate hanging off the end of every aisle. What the freaking hell.

Anyway, after I recovered from my surprise I shook my head, asked for lighter fluid which he didn't have, then asked what pipe tobacco he had. I swear he looked around as if checking for any innocent bystanders who might accidentally see a cigarette, then unlocked one of the cabinets, slid the shutters aside and pointed to two small packets in the corner, neither of which were a brand I'd ever heard of before. In my mind, I'd thought it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask a tobacco kiosk worker what kind of tobacco blends were in the packs of pipe tobacco he sold (they might know right?), but given the dire state of affairs I'd experienced so far I just gave up. I thanked him and went on with my shop.

I don't know if this no display thing is a new development, or its been there a while and I just haven't noticed, but damn. Still, at least now I know I made the right decision by buying my tobacco online all this time.

 

[George Kaplan]

I hear they do that in Canada now, too. You can't even walk into a tobacconist's humidor to choose your own, anymore. They make you pick from a catalog and have an attendant fetch it for you.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

When folks find a bone to chew on, eh? Sheesh. You know, soon there'll be clean heroin needles hanging next to the Mentos at the checkout lines, but you'll need six forms of ID, stamped military clearance and a stack of paperwork for a tin of 'bacca. But you'll get a nugget of pot for free with $100 in groceries. :lol: I mean, cool, but what the eff is wrong with us for allowing this? :lol:

Hear that, Big Bro? I'm gonna grow my own one day. Mark my words.

8)

 

[beetlejazz]

Big Bro? I'm gonna grow my own one day. Mark my words.

And perhaps the first blend of yours already has a name, inspired by modern pipemaking and some knickers in the family... that would make a beautiful anecdote to be printed on the tin too.

 

[chris]

Greyson - you obviously don't go to the supermarket too often - lucky man!!!

I am afraid that is the law in England and has been for most of this year. I think it only applies to supermarkets as most small newsagents are still displaying tobacco products.

My most ludicrous experience of this was shortly after the law came in and I was in a supermarket and asked what cigars and pipe tobacco they stocked. I was told that they could not pull back the shutters and I had to tell them what it was I wanted. I attempted to explain that I was not going to reel off a long list of products knowing full well that they probably did not stock those brands but in the end I just gave up and left.

And trying to find a supermarket that stocks lighter fuel seems to be a complete waste of time - I presume everyone just buys disposables these days. If there is a branch of Robert Dyas where you are then they normally sell Swan lighter fuel.

If it were not for the Web, and the very few remaining tobacconists, then being a pipe smoker in England would be hard work.

 

[sisyphus]

Hear that, Big Bro? I'm gonna grow my own one day. Mark my words.

I am about to hit 100 pounds in the cellar, which strangely enough is my lifetime supply number at my smoking rate and projected lifespan. I have about 6 pounds to go and I'll be just shy of 105 pounds and done. That was my answer. I saw this coming and dedicated most of my disposable income toward tobacco for a year to cellar like mad. I am pretty happy with the cellar, although you always look at it and wish you had more of this or less of that as your preferences go through slight shifts.

I am surprised that the FDA hasn't exercised their authority to regulate pipe tobacco, because that will truly be the end of things as we know them. As far as I'm concerned, it can only be a matter of time before they do. Cellar now while tobacco is available and cheap because once that happens you'll be paying at least $20 a tin in brick and mortars with no other options. Just look at cigarettes and moist snuff for an idea of what FDA regulation means.

Honestly, I think the only thing that's saved us so far is the cigar lobby. There is a lot of money in cigars and they can exert influence in a way that the pipe smoking community cannot. It's a moot point for me, I didn't want to leave my fate in the hands of others, so I cellared.

 

[CigarKen]

It's getting rediculous, I was carded yesterday at the grocery store for pipe cleaners but to restrict a tobacco shop from dispaying their product is obsured.

 

[monbla256]

The Anti-Tobacco folks are SERIOUS about doing away with ALL forms of tobacco consumtion and if you want to NOT have this happen you have to be involved on an almost daily basis with what is going on in your city, state and in the halls of the Federal gvt as ofen as you come here to this Forum. These folks are convinced THEIR way is THE way and unless you get INVOLVED politicaly it will happen. Sad to say, but that's how it IS. These folks are going to make it happen unless WE work just as hard AGINST them. I'm in contact with my local councilmen on a weekly basis about this here where I live and we all need to do this. Only WE smokers can stop this sort of thing . Otherwise it WILL happen,

 

[Dutch]

The Anti-Tobacco folks are SERIOUS about doing away with ALL forms of tobacco consumtion and if you want to NOT have this happen you have to be involved on an almost daily basis with what is going on in your city, state and in the halls of the Federal gvt as ofen as you come here to this Forum. These folks are convinced THEIR way is THE way and unless you get INVOLVED politicaly it will happen. Sad to say, but that's how it IS. These folks are going to make it happen unless WE work just as hard AGINST them. I'm in contact with my local councilmen on a weekly basis about this here where I live and we all need to do this. Only WE smokers can stop this sort of thing . Otherwise it WILL happen,

I wholeheartedly agree! As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem!"

 

[Rob_In_MO]

While I personally think this is crock of $hit, I can see it coming to the USSA soon enough.

Congrats to those who have cellared a lifetime (or near lifetime) supply. I only wish I'd done the same over the years. I need to start stocking up as well.

I agree 100% with Monbla and Dutch, but our letters and phone calls only go so far...

 

[plumbernater]

Yep and how many here voted for the liberals this year. America will be right behind you on this.

 

[DrT999]

My most ludicrous experience of this was shortly after the law came in and I was in a supermarket and asked what cigars and pipe tobacco they stocked. I was told that they could not pull back the shutters and I had to tell them what it was I wanted. I attempted to explain that I was not going to reel off a long list of products knowing full well that they probably did not stock those brands but in the end I just gave up and left.

Sounds alot like Python's 'cheeseshop' sketch:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B3KBuQHHKx0" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[monbla256]

Yep and how many here voted for the liberals this year. America will be right behind you on this.

It's not a Liberal/Conservative issue. The main councilman and mayor here where I live are MAJOR Teaparty big whigs locally. They HATE tobacco.

 

[Richard Burley]

Re the anti-tobacco freaks: I never liked playing defense, and compromise is overrated. We should work to make smoking MANDATORY, no exceptions, heavy fines and imprisonment for abstainers. Let them learn, if they are at all capable, what liberty and free choice are all about. They obviously either have no clue, or they detest it.

 

[Jers]

@DrT999 - thanks for the Python sketch - great way to start the day!

It's €16 for a tin of tobacco in Ireland presently (that's slightly over $21), and all tobacco products are hidden at shop counters (other than specialist tobacconists).

It's not likely that the purchase price of tobacco products will ever reduce.

Fraternally

Jers

 

[Gumball]

This law has been in effect for a while now. The shop assistant cannot tell you what they have for sale, and cannot show you the items for sale, but they can (if you are lucky) point you towards a plain looking printed list (menu) of items that might be behind the shutters :shock:

We have plain packaging to look forward to, and no doubt more bans on smoking in open spaces, thanks to the anti-tobacco zealots.

"By a free country, I mean a country where people are allowed, As long as they do not hurt their neighbours, To do as they like. I do not mean a country where six men may make five men do exactly as they like." - Lord Salisbury (1830 - 1903)

 

[Greyson]

Yeah that's what I'm gathering from what people are saying, I don't know why I never noticed it until today. Its just silly.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Jer - it is the same in Canada. Specialty stores can display but other stores can't.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

Get your lynching ropes ready:

I don't necessarily disagree with this.

Lets be honest, smoking cigarettes is bad. It is a personal choice, and I don't think that the government should force smokers to quit, or exile smokers from public society, but I do think we should make every effort to make sure that kids don't smoke and don't develop an interest in smoking cigarettes. It is precisely this market - younger kids, that is most susceptible to advertising and product placement. Out of sight out of mind - cliche, but true.

As someone who lives in state where not only can I not buy a bottle of wine from a supermarket, I can only buy it from a State run store, and where I can only buy beer at a dedicated store, and even there only by the case, I am content that tobacco can still be sold in places like drug stores and supermarkets. If I have to seek out my pouch of Prince Albert from behind a counter to keep that pack of Marlbros out of some 16 year old kids hands, I am ok with that.

What does concern me is the downward trend. I agree that it is a slippery slope, but lets be honest, we already started slipping down that slope a long time ago. This one doesn't seem like a battle worth fighting.

 

[dshpipes]

Get your lynching ropes ready:

I don't necessarily disagree with this.

Lets be honest, smoking cigarettes is bad. It is a personal choice, and I don't think that the government should force smokers to quit, or exile smokers from public society, but I do think we should make every effort to make sure that kids don't smoke and don't develop an interest in smoking cigarettes. It is precisely this market - younger kids, that is most susceptible to advertising and product placement. Out of sight out of mind - cliche, but true.

As someone who lives in state where not only can I not buy a bottle of wine from a supermarket, I can only buy it from a State run store, and where I can only buy beer at a dedicated store, and even there only by the case, I am content that tobacco can still be sold in places like drug stores and supermarkets. If I have to seek out my pouch of Prince Albert from behind a counter to keep that pack of Marlbros out of some 16 year old kids hands, I am ok with that.

What does concern me is the downward trend. I agree that it is a slippery slope, but lets be honest, we already started slipping down that slope a long time ago. This one doesn't seem like a battle worth fighting.

Good points, Dave.

I'm originally from Baton Rouge, LA where you can buy a 5th of Jack Daniels and a carton of cigarettes at the gas station around the corner. While I like the freedom and availability that offers, LA has one of the highest car insurance rates in the country because people drink and drive in LA. A lot. Many of those drunk drivers are minors, unfortunately. If it were less available, might the issue decrease? Almost certainly, which is why I'm happy to walk over to a liquor store to purchase alcohol if I so choose. This puts it out of reach of minors but still allows me to purchase a legal and well regulated adult luxury.

Honestly, I would rather see that happen with cigarettes than have them boarded up as if they're an illegal commodity. That's also where they keep the pipe tobacco and drug store cigars, right? Having all of that behind an opaque display really discredits any tobacco use. I am definitely for giving tobacco a better image as an adult luxury instead of something to be hidden from the prying eyes of youngsters.

IMO, lets redirect all of those cigarette sales to B&M tobacconists, increase their revenue, get them away from the eyes of minors, and give credit back to tobacco as a whole. Should be good for everyone except for the corner store. But at the rate that tobacco sales will likely decrease for the corner store if they have to hide all of it behind an opaque display, it may be good for them as well since it would free up space for something else to sell.