It has been claimed that four out of five corner shops in Northern Ireland could be driven out of business if a ban on tobacco displays is introduced.
A study by the Tobacco Retailers Alliance - which represents 26,000 independent shopkeepers across the UK - also found that 97% of retailers in Northern Ireland feel the Government has not listened to their concerns about the display ban.
John McKeown, the Northern Ireland spokesman for the Alliance said:
"A ban on tobacco displays will put many independent shopkeepers out of business. That's just what has happened in Canada where 23 convenience stores in Ontario and 12 in Quebec closed every week after bans were introduced there.
"The Government want to ban displays to reduce youth smoking, but the evidence from Canada shows that youth smoking levels went down more and faster in provinces where tobacco was still on display than those provinces where tobacco displays were banned.
"There is no evidence that a ban on displays reduces youth smoking and that is why New Zealand recently abandoned proposals to introduce a ban."
Youth Smoking
The survey also found that two in five retailers in Northern Ireland (42%) were aware of adults buying tobacco legally in their shops to give to under 18s.
Mr McKeown added: "If the Government is serious about tackling youth smoking, then it should not be wasting time on unproven gimmicks like banning tobacco displays as it is preposterous to state that young people take up smoking because they see it on display in shops.
"They start smoking because they want to look older or because of peer pressure. Instead of banning displays, the government should be making it illegal for adults to buy tobacco on behalf of those under 18. MPs don't need telling there will be an election within the next 12 months and if they go ahead with this ban, it is going to cost them votes."
Belfast shopkeeper Adrian Boyd said independent retailers needed government support to stay in business.
He said: "Shops like mine rely on selling tobacco and anything that impairs my ability to sell it is bad for the whole business. It will not be long before many corner stores disappear from Britain's streets entirely."
DHSSPS Response
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said the primary aim of introducing further legislative controls on tobacco products was to reduce the appeal and uptake of smoking by children and young people as well as to denormalise smoking as an acceptable activity, particularly for young people.
She added: "Evidence shows that this group are more receptive to tobacco advertising than adults and that young people exposed to tobacco advertising and promotion are more likely to take up smoking. Following 2002 legislation banning advertising of tobacco, retail displays have grown in size and prominence.
"Evidence from elsewhere shows that the legislation works. In Iceland, smoking prevalence among 15 and 16 year-olds fell by 40% between 1999 and 2007. The most rapid fall followed the removal of displays in 2001. In Canada the fall in smoking prevalence among 15 to 19 year-olds from 22% in 2002 to 15% in 2007 coincided with a growing number of provinces prohibiting display of tobacco.
"The minister has met with retailer associations and has listened to their concerns. It is intended that draft regulations containing the detail of the legislation will be issued for public consultation in the autumn. This will provide an opportunity for all interested parties to comment on both the detailed content and the timetable for commencement of the legislation."
© Press Association