Japan Tobacco International is launching an initiative to support retailers ahead of the new EU Tobacco Products Directive legislation.
The tobacco giant is hoping to allay retailer fears and help them manage the transition during a period of enormous change in which 10-packs, flavoured tobacco and price-marked packs will all be banned as of May 2017.
Under the rules that limit the size of a pack of cigarettes to a minimum of 20 sticks and ban packs of rolling tobacco under 30g, every tobacco SKU will also have to change to incorporate larger health warnings.
The manufacturing of the products to be banned will end this May, with the potential for stocks of popular lines to run out before the ban even kicks in.
JTI’s ‘Your Guide Through Change’ plan includes online training modules, educational videos and information packs through its website. JTI has also upskilled its sales force to provide improved advice.
“By following Your Guide Through Change and working with JTI, retailers will have the best possible support,” said JTI head of communications Jeremy Blackburn.
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