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Shopkeepers will soon be banned from displaying cigarettes behind the counter.

Instead, tobacco products will have to be stored out of view, under moves due to be announced today by Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

It is feared the ban will be the final nail in the coffin for small newsagents already struggling with the economic downturn.

• We went out onto the streets to find out what people think about the plan - see the reaction in the video above.

Kevin Bradshaw, owner of Dover St News, Canterbury is concerned his business won't be able to cope.

He said: "All of these little newsagents will just close because they won't be able to afford it.

"Places like Tesco's will have the money to do it but for someone like me it's just crazy. I've got about 30 to 40 brands of cigarettes behind my counter - how am I supposed to fit all of them below it?

"It'll end up costing about £2,000 and then people will just stop coming in because they won't think we sell them anymore."

• So, should cigarettes be on open view? Does it encourage youngsters to buy more? Or is this just the latest victimisation of smokers? Join our Talking Point by clicking on the Make a Comment tab below.

Glen Pearce, manager of Martin Newsagents in Staplehurst welcomes the move, despite the effect it will have on his business.

He said: "I gave up two years ago and it's the best thing I've ever done, it's a bit heavy-handed but it's what's needed.

"It will definitely affect sales because quite a few people come in and buy them off the cuff - they see them and say 'whilst I'm here I also take...' To be honest, the picture warnings they put on the packets recently have already put a lot of people off - my weekly intake from cigarettes is now £3,000, a few months ago it was £4,000."

Another suggestion expected to be put in place by the Department of Health includes making cigarette vending machines in pubs token-operated, customers would need to provide ID for bar staff before being allowed to buy a token.