Before we even discuss how to help retailers adjust to the cigarette display ban ("Tobacco display ban will affect sales, retailers say"; Dec 11), we need to ask the fundamental question: Should retailers be making easy money from a product that is addictive, shortens the lives of users and causes collateral damage to non-users?

For too long, they have been making easy money from this. It is time to wean themselves from it. Why not be innovative and start selling products that serve the public?

FairPrice, which is the retail market leader and a "social enterprise", should take the lead and stop displaying cigarettes even before the law takes effect.

I do not see how making money from an addictive product that kills people and causes collateral damage serves any social good.

Lim Teck Koon