Member

For these smaller businesses, a licence under the proposals in this Bill would be essential. For some smaller businesses, the sale of tobacco products, especially the specialist ones, forms a key part of their revenue stream. While many recognise that in the years to come they will have to diversify away from tobacco sales, as legislators we should make it as easy as possible for them to comply by making sure that—the Minister alluded to some of this in her previous comments—the new licensing regime is clearly communicated, intelligible and accessible, that it is set up with sufficient time and notice to allow small retailers, especially, and others to make the required changes and that the Government recognise the difference in time and ability to react to changes in licensing conditions between large nationwide retailers and small independent family businesses.