Tobacco advertising in retail stores

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Tobacco advertising extends beyond traditional media to retail environments.
• Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising is a prevalent and often overlooked marketing channel.
• Understanding the landscape of POS tobacco advertising is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and types of tobacco advertising in retail stores.
• To examine store policies regarding tobacco advertising and display.
• To gauge retailer willingness to display anti-tobacco advertisements.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 61 packaged goods retail stores in Buffalo, NY, in July 1987.
• Data collection included assessment of POS tobacco advertising and interviews with store owners/managers.
• Stores surveyed included supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores (with and without gasoline), and pharmacies.

Main Results:

• Two-thirds of stores displayed tobacco posters, and 87% had promotional items, primarily for cigarettes.
• Larger and privately owned stores displayed more tobacco advertising.
• While 29 stores had policies on tobacco displays, only 14 had displayed anti-tobacco information; over half were willing to do so.

Conclusions:

• Point-of-sale tobacco advertising is widespread, with significant presence of posters and promotional items.
• Retailer willingness to display anti-tobacco messages exists, but practical barriers like space and corporate policies need addressing.
• Developing functional anti-tobacco materials and establishing retailer standards can enhance public health efforts.