[Exposure to point-of-sale tobacco displays in Argentina: evidence from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey]

To describe the population that reports to have visited tobacco points of sale (POS) in Argentina and their perception of tobacco advertising.

We used data from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey.

We included 31 167 respondents (96% of the total) who attended a store that sells cigarettes in the previous 30 days. Overall, 54.1% (67.3% of current smokers, 55.1% of former smokers and 49% of non smokers) referred having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Males (OR=1.2) and current smokers (OR=1.9 vs. non smokers) were more likely to report having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Those who were exposed to second hand smoke in bars and restaurants (OR=1.2) were also more likely to have seen advertising. We found that younger people (age 18 - 24) were more likely to be exposed (OR=2.8 vs older than 65). Among smokers, those who referred to have seen the advertising were more likely to have tried to quit smoking during the previous year.

It is important to regulate advertising at the POS to limit exposure, particularly among young people.