MORE than 1,700 signatures have been gathered on a petition against a ban on selling smoking materials on markets across Barnsley.
The council wants to stop all traders selling products such as tips, papers and lighters by this summer.
But the move has not gone down well with market traders who sell such products.
A petition has been organised by Marie Stocks who runs Fags and Swags in the May Day Green market hall.
She said: “All of the signatures are from customers who use this stall, I wanted it to be a true petition - not just random people off the streets. It shows how many people use this stall.
“The ban will take away their freedom of choice, and they are outraged about it. I have built up a very good customer base, and people see my stall as affordable. Because people come and see me, they also buy other things at the market. If I wasn’t about and people had to go to the supermarket, they wouldn’t spend in the market.
“The council is taking my livelihood away. Even if they want to stop people smoking, they shouldn’t be stopping people from selling it. It’s just an aspiration, it is not the law.”
Marie said people travel from far and wide to visit her stall because there is a variety of items and they know they can get items such as pipe cleaners at affordable prices.
She said she had been offered a place in the new Glass Works development, but has been told she can only sell vaping products.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said. Part of the petition will be considered by the council’s ruling cabinet on February 7.
Another trader, Kieron Knight, also sells smoking related materials and said he will not be taking up a stall in the Glass Works because of the ban.
‘Up to 75 per cent of what I sell is smoking-related products. I have been there for 18 years and they have shut me down. I don’t feel sad for myself, I feel sad for the people of Barnsley.
“The council is spending £100m of their money, and is systematically destroying Barnsley.”
Coun Roy Miller said: “We have received a petition about the council’s ban on selling smoking products in the market.
“This will be processed in line with our standard procedures. We continue to support market traders in our town, whilst working towards our ambitions for a smoke free generation by 2025.”
