More than half of small shopkeepers said they relied on tobacco sales for their profits in a new survey by the lobby group Action on Smoking Health (ASH).
Most (81%) also added there should be tougher measures in place to prevent selling tobacco products to children.
Some 961 small retailers were surveyed, with 54% believing the legal age to buy tobacco should be increased from 18 to 21, alongside mandatory age checks for those who appear under 25.
Concern is also growing about the use of e-cigarettes or vaping, with a report published in July finding that approximately 30% of 16-17-year-olds had at least tried e-cigarettes.
Ahead of a parliamentary debate on 3 November, Bob Blackman MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, said: “The main argument used by tobacco manufacturers’ against tobacco laws with politicians like me is that they harm small shops.
“What this survey of nearly 1,000 shopkeepers published today shows is that shopkeepers don’t think that’s true.”
On the survey’s findings, ASH CEO, Deborah Arnott said: “Retailers aren’t anti-regulation, they know that good regulation can make their lives easier by ensuring there’s a level playing field.
“That’s why they want to see the gaping hole in retail regulation closed through the introduction of a mandatory tobacco licence backed up by stronger penalties for breaking the law.”
ASH’s report comes after the previous two governments suggested commitments to bring the number of UK smokers below 5% by 2030, with Blackman expected to renew calls for the government to impose stricter measures on tobacco sales.