Retailers are up in arms over "illogical" plans to ban the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20.
The proposal forms part of the government's consultation into reducing youth smoking.
Blackburn-based retailer Solly Khonat said: "The suggestion to ban 10s is illogical. At a time when the government is encouraging everyone to consume less alcohol, they are encouraging people to buy tobacco in larger quantities.
"I'm also worried that a ban on 10s will increase the illicit trade, with my customers resorting to black market tobacco products."
Research from Ireland, where a ban on 10-packs was introduced in 2007, has shown that the average number of cigarettes smoked per day has in fact risen since the ban.
The proposal forms part of the government's consultation into reducing youth smoking.
Blackburn-based retailer Solly Khonat said: "The suggestion to ban 10s is illogical. At a time when the government is encouraging everyone to consume less alcohol, they are encouraging people to buy tobacco in larger quantities.
"I'm also worried that a ban on 10s will increase the illicit trade, with my customers resorting to black market tobacco products."
Research from Ireland, where a ban on 10-packs was introduced in 2007, has shown that the average number of cigarettes smoked per day has in fact risen since the ban.
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