China: I-Mei may gradually Stop Selling Tobacco in April in Taiwan

Source from:  The China Post (tw) 03/19/2015

I-Mei Food Co. , one of Taiwan's largest food producers, said late Wednesday night that the company may gradually stop selling tobacco starting this April, although yesterday afternoon the company said the plan was not ready.

I-Mei said the decision is not definite yet, there are discussions within the company on whether it will stop selling tobacco in its chain stores but that no decisions have been made so far, said a company spokesperson.

A report on the front page of the United Evening News' Wednesday edition said I-Mei will stop selling tobacco products from April 2 at its 88 chain stores around the country.

"This is a premature thought," said I-Mei General Manager Kao Chih-ming, adding that the company will not make an announcement until a decision has been made. Later at 8 p.m. last night, I-Mei said it has decided to stop selling tobacco.

Acknowledging that discussions are being held on the issue, Kao said his company is making an effort to improve its business image.

I-Mei's new plan has already sparked heated debate in the retail market.

Taiwan's four major convenience store operators are apparently holding a wait-and-see attitude toward the idea of not selling tobacco products in their chain stores, as 7-Eleven, the country's largest convenience story chain, said it was still trying to understand the matter.

FamilyMart said the company has not discussed the issue, while Hi-Life　affirmed that it has no plans for the moment to stop tobacco distribution. Meanwhile, OK Mart has also made clear that it will not stop selling cigarettes.

OK Mart explained that its stores have a policy of not promoting tobacco products, although they stock and sell such goods.

Major hypermarket operators Carrefour, RT-Mart and Amart, as well as supermarket chain Pxmart, have all said they will keep their tobacco sales policies unchanged.

Costco, meanwhile, said that it will stop selling tobacco in Taiwan once its existing stocks are sold out. Enditem