Maybe I am exhibiting too much hubris, but I would think, in terms of OLD SCHOOL series sales, the 70 members of this forum have got to be at least representative of the consumers if not a significant percentage of them. Brad alone should get 60 or 70 votes. I think the key is discovering who, within Topps, would care to know.
I don't think it's hubris at all to extrapolate that we are representative of the Old School series consumer base. We're likely more than just representative - we must account for a good percentage of the sales of that series.
And while that may seem to be enough information, I think we need to accept that there's almost-certainly more to it than that. And I think you're phrasing of "... who, within Topps, would care to know." is astute. Because my guess is, that someone already does know, but has decided that other factors are a larger priority. Meaning that no one really cares to know how we feel on this small topic. They just need to know that Old School is profitable. If it isn't profitable, I'd guess the only change we'll see is; no more Old School.
IF this is a matter of Topps trying to operate within certain guidelines set forth by a huge buyer like a Wal-Mart, we must accept that we are virtually powerless to change the product. Boycotting Old School would only serve to do it in, and even all 70 of us added together do not amount to a flea on the beast that is a Wal-Mart.
I think our best course of action was already laid out by someone else on this thread: Write to Topps.
It probably won't work, because it's easy to ignore fans and even consumers, when you're dealing with single buyers who can account for millions of dollars of sales sway. And if that single Wal-Mart buyer says that they don't want to see booze and tobacco from Topps, they will likely not change their position.
In spite of it possibly being a futile endeavor, writing in would seem to be the only course of action open to folks like us. So if you feel strongly enough about it - you should write in and express your opinion.
And at least there's a chance that it could work. Because maybe they're just being unduly cautious and all they need is a little nudge from 70 passionate fans.