Thousands of retailers have made the government aware of their opposition to the proposed tobacco display ban in UK shops by supporting the postcard campaign organised by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and C-Store.

The Department of Health (DoH) was bombarded with completed Stop The Tobacco Display Ban postcards which were sent to cash and carry depots across the country and readers of Convenience Store in the September 3 issue .

The DoH said it had received more than 6,000 items of correspondence relating to the tobacco display ban since the final consultation opened on July 28 "with the vast majority of these from a postcard campaign by the ACS opposing the new legislation", Secretary of State for Health Anne Milton said.

ACS public affairs director Shane Brennan said he was thrilled by the support the initiative received. "We are delighted by this response to the campaign, the largest ever run by our sector. It is a powerful reminder to ministers that they made a commitment before the election to stop the display ban and they should keep to it.

"The decision still hangs in the balance, but retailers have made their voices heard loud and clear," he added.