LONDON - The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has asked new Business Secretary Vince Cable to examine upcoming restrictions on displays of tobacco products in light of new evidence, KamCity.com reports.

The U.K. Department for Business had outlined plans to look at and reverse any intended rules the previous government had initiated. "Reducing the red tape burden on business is the right priority for government, and we welcome the new structures set up to challenge existing and planned business burdens. However they must be prepared to go into politically controversial areas and take an objective look at the evidence," said James Lowman, the association??s CEO. "A willingness to review measures like the tobacco display ban would be a striking signal of intent."

The ACS??s case for a review of the proposed ban is based on new evidence that seems to indicate the measure would not be effective. ACS has said the government promised Parliament the ban would lower smoking, which was supported by a reduction of smoking in Canada, where such a ban exists.

However, new numbers from Health Canada found that smoking among those between the ages of 15 and 17 has jumped from 11 to 13 percent since 2006 and 2007, despite a ban on tobacco displays. Over in Ireland, where a tobacco-display ban was instituted last year, total smokers in that country??s population advanced from 24 to 31 percent from 2007 to 2010.

"The main justification for the tobacco display ban was that it has been proven to reduce youth smoking in jurisdictions like Canada, but the most recent figures from Canadian Health authorities show that the display ban is having no effect on smoking behavior among young people. It suggests that government must look at other measures that will bear down on smoking attitudes among young people," said Lowman.

"Given the clear independent evidence that a display ban is not working makes it a prime candidate for review. Action to remove this planned burden would save the industry in excess of ?66 million and send a clear signal that this government is serious about reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens," he said.