Major cash and carry groups have rallied to back a campaign by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to stop the tobacco display ban.

Bestway, Booker, Landmark Wholesale and Today's Group have all pledged support and will be sending cash and carry managers an ACS pack this week. The packs contain posters to put up in their depots and postcards for retailers to send to the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who will be making the decision on whether to introduce the ban.
 James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS, said: ”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. We oppose the ban on the grounds that it will not be effective and will impose huge costs on retailers." (pi)