On This Day, 26 April 1917

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Thursday 26 April 1917

TOBACCO HOARDER

RUSH ON DEALERS’ STOCKS IN BIRMINGHAM

Pound after pound of tobacco has been purchased by smokers instead of their usual ounce or two ounces at a time, and Birmingham tobacconists have had to cope with a raid on their stocks during the last few days.

For the last fortnight the manufacturers have refused all orders, while the leading firm of wholesalers in Birmingham have not opened their doors this week.

Interviewed by a Gazette representative yesterday a well-known Corporation-street tobacconist declared that so heavy had been the demand that he deemed it expedient to only supply his regular customers. “Even restricting my sales to regular customers I seriously doubt whether my depleted stock will carry me through until Budget day.”