City Council member Demone Smith made the proposal, saying he wants tobacco companies to pay the fee because the signs, legal and otherwise, are everywhere and people in communities all over Western New York are offended. "We're trying to put in the deli store license, that you can't have these (signs) going on," Smith said, according to a WBEN Radio report. The fee would [image-nocss] go toward hiring more inspectors to ensure the rules are being followed.
Jim Calvin of the New York State Association of Convenience Stores calls the rule unreasonable. "There are all sorts of regulations on the marketing and regulation of tobacco in Washington, Albany and Buffalo," he told the radio station. "Our stores comply with all the types of regulations. This type of regulation goes far beyond any of those and far beyond what we'd call reasonable."
Calvin said this would be unprecedented, "and it would be setting a bad precedent for anybody who wants to sell any kind of product."
Calvin added that he understands the concerns of those regarding advertising signage. "The reality is within the four walls of our store, we've got the right to communicate with our adult customers about the products we have to sell," he said.
Calvin said there are more regulations coming to Washington, and he does not see a justification for further burdening tobacco retailers who have to compete with Native American retailers.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.