John McClurey

John McClurey is a 'retailer in the North of England' who frequently appears in ASH's media statements purporting to represent all retailers.

Top of his list of complaints is, apparently, that selling tobacco fails to generate sufficient/any profit, so he'd like to stop selling it, and free up all the money that's tied up in tobacco stock on... we're not sure.

And for some obscure reason, he has yet to simply... stop selling it.

August 2010

The first reference found for John is when he's being a tad disingenuous about the cost of 'shutters' to hide cigarettes behind:

I was amazed at how enthusiastic Irish retailers were. Complying with the legislation had not been expensive and sales to adults haven’t been affected. These displays aren’t really aimed at existing smokers; after all nine out of ten smokers know what brand they want before they come in and the rest will make their decision largely on price.

This, along with ASH's claim that shutters would only cost £120 in a document that has now gone missing from here were subsequently debunked.

July 2012

Three decades of selling tobacco allows John to wildly pontificate on standardised packaging:

That’s why I feel it’s so important to present a balanced view on the subject of plain packaging,

says our John, before presenting a highly unbalanced view.

For example the 'packaging makes tobacco irresistible to kids' line is repeated ad nauseam...

Let me say now, I am certain that the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products would reduce the appeal of eye-catching tobacco brands and help lower the temptation for more children to start smoking.

Of course, if only it was illegal for the likes of John to sell them to kids, that might stop them smoking as well. Just sayin'.

And the slippery slope argument rears its head

I don’t believe for a second that this is a slippery slope and that I will be selling chocolate bars or crisps in plain packs in years to come, as the tobacco companies are claiming.

It wasn't just the tobacco companies John.

Plain packs would cause no confusion or extra costs for small businesses like mine.

But what's this? 50 newsagents descending on Westminster to complain the exact opposite will happen?

“It means a lot of extra time while shop assistants find customers’ required brand on their gantry.

“It will cause delay and confusion and newsagents and small shops will lose business as people go elsewhere.

“People often buy chewing gum, a newspaper and other items when they pop in for packet of cigarettes.

“With the shutters to hide cigarette displays coming in next April this is unnecessary.

And here's the Association of Convenience Stores take:

The plan to implement plain packaging for cigarettes will hurt retailers and cause confusion in the industry, claims a leading pressure group.

Chief executive of the Association of Convenience stores James Lowman says the regulations will make it harder for retailers to accurately control stock and place orders and will increase the time it takes to serve customers.

June 2017

During the 10-year celebrations of the English tobacco ban, John pops up again...

Tobacco companies try to tell me that I make a lot of money from selling cigarettes, and that if it weren’t for people coming into my shop for their smoking materials I’d have very little business. This is so far from the truth as to be almost funny. It’s true that there’s big money to be made from tobacco, but it’s not made by me - it’s made by the tobacco manufacturers.

On the topic of profit margins:

Tobacco contributes less than 10% of total weekly profits, and average profit margins are only 6.6% for tobacco products compared to 24.1% for all other products.

.. which sorta ignores the fact that while most of the stock in his shop is taxed at either 20% VAT or 0% (presuming he sells zero-rated food) the tax on tobacco can be anywhere from 233% (for an £8 pack) to a massive 900% (for a £5.50 pack. Both 2012 rates)