The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched a national campaign called Stop the Tobacco

Display Ban.

The postcard campaign aims to get retailers to lobby Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to overturn the legislation on the ban while plans are still being discussed by the government.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "The Tobacco Display Ban is a policy which will significantly impact all local retailers. Businesses will be forced to pay significant sums to comply with the legislation which could cost the sector up to £40million.

"While the primary justification for the display ban is to discourage youth smoking, there is strong evidence from countries that have already implemented the ban which shows that it does not impact on youth smoking rates.

"In opposition, both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats recognised this lack of evidence and supported retailers’ calls to scrap the measure. They now need to take action.”"

The postcards will be placed in cash and carry depots across England while the materials can also be downloaded from the ACS website.

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