Highlights
- The majority of the shopkeepers support the prevailing tobacco laws and would like the Government to take more steps to protect people's health, the latest survey shows.
- Eight out of every 10 (81%) retailers believe that a mandatory licence scheme to sell tobacco should be in place.
- The same percentage of retailers also backed compulsory age verification for people looking less than 25 years old.
A new report has revealed that most shopkeepers support the prevailing tobacco laws and would like the Government to take more steps to protect people's health. About 961 small tobacco retailers were surveyed across the UK by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
The survey results revealed that more regulation was preferred by people running convenience stores, petrol stations, newsagents, and off-licences, while several were concerned regarding vaping sales to kids.
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Eight out of every 10 (81%) retailers believe that a mandatory licence scheme to sell tobacco should be in place to stop kids from consuming tobacco, avert illegal sales, and provide the local authorities with more control.
The same percentage of retailers also backed compulsory age verification for people looking less than 25 years old. On average, one out of 20 shopkeepers disagreed with both actions. Additionally, the survey unveiled that over half (54%) of the retailers believe that the age at which one is allowed to buy tobacco should be increased from 18 to 21.
Along with this, 73% agreed that tobacco manufacturers should be obligated to pay a fee to the Government for programs directed to assist people in quitting and preventing youngsters from choosing to smoke.
Let's explore two tobacco stocks on which investors can keep their eye.
British American Tobacco plc (LON: BATS)
The YTD (year to date) return of the leading UK-based tobacco manufacturing business, British American Tobacco plc, stands at 26.49% as of 1 November. Meanwhile, its annual return stands at 35.87%, with a decent EPS (earning per share) of 2.97. BATS shares were up by 0.67%, or 23 points, at around 12:00 PM (GMT) on Tuesday, trading at GBX 3,456.50. The FTSE100-listed business's market cap at the time of writing stands at £76,990.55 million. With a P/E ratio of 14.97, British American Tobacco has a Turnover (on book) of £8,251,263.21.
Imperial Brands plc (LON: IMB)
The YTD return of the fourth-largest global cigarette business in terms of market share, Imperial Brands plc, stands at 30.83% as of 1 November. Meanwhile, its annual return stands at 37.48%, with a decent EPS of 3.00. IMB shares were down by 0.14%, or 3 points, at around 12:00 PM (GMT) on Tuesday, trading at GBX 2,121.00. The FTSE100-listed business's market cap at the time of writing stands at £20,118.29 million. With a P/E ratio of 9.97, Imperial Brands has a Turnover (on book) of £5,707,804.38.