In sight, in mind: Retailer compliance with legislation on limiting retail tobacco displays

Abstract

We investigated retailer compliance with point-of-sale display legislation, using a New Zealand region as a case study. An observational survey was conducted of nonspecialist tobacco retailers in the lower North Island of New Zealand during 2006. Compliance was assessed in relation to store type (dairies, convenience stores, supermarkets, and service stations) and by characteristics of the population of the census area unit in which the store was situated. These characteristics include the level of socioeconomic deprivation and proportions of Maori (indigenous New Zealanders), Pacific Islanders, and children aged less than 19 years. Out of the 288 stores surveyed, 185 (64%) had at least one breach of the point-of-sale regulations. The most common breaches were a failure to display a "Smoking Kills" sign, visibility of tobacco from outside the premises, and displaying tobacco less than 1 m from children's products. Compliance was significantly worse in dairies (small local general stores) and convenience stores. Stores situated in areas in the top quartile for the proportion of children were much more likely to have high levels of noncompliance (> or =3 breaches) and to display tobacco products close to children's products. This study is one of very few to systematically investigate retailer compliance with point-of-sale display regulations for tobacco products. The results suggest that the implementation of legislation to partly limit retail displays of tobacco products can be difficult. A ban on retail displays of tobacco products is likely to be a more effective and enforceable policy.

Exposure to Tobacco Retail Outlets and Smoking Initiation among New York City Adolescents

“…29 Researchers studying compliance have suggested that the display ban could produce even larger decreases in youth smoking with better enforcement. 30 Although much progress has been made both nationally and in NYC, smoking persists at significant levels among teens. Implementation and enforcement of polices that reduce the impact of tobacco product promotion in retail settings could play an important role in efforts to curtail smoking among this vulnerable population.…”

“…23,[28][29][30] Evaluations of these restrictions provide evidence for the potential benefits of keeping PoS displays out of sight. For example, following a ban on PoS display in Ireland in 2009, the number of youths overestimating how many of their peers smoke regularly declined by nearly 30 %.…”

How Compliant are Tobacco Vendors to India's Tobacco Control Legislation on Ban of Advertisments at Point of Sale? A Three Jurisdictions Review

“…Tobacco industry adopts such tactics globally; tobacco products and advertisements are often placed near candies and children's items at the front of the store and on counter tops, encouraging children to see them as harmless everyday items (Feighery et al, 2001;Quedley et al, 2008;Barnoya et al, 2010). Tobacco products often occupy large and prominent display space in stores and are strategically designed to encourage impulse purchasing and promote certain brands while making health warnings less visible (Quit Victoria, 2008).…”

Comprehensive tobacco marketing restrictions: promotion, packaging, price and place

“…According to WHO, fewer than half of all countries with a ‘comprehensive’ ban have achieved high compliance, 14 which suggests that more progress has been made towards enacting marketing restrictions than enforcing them. Poor compliance with marketing restrictions documented in the USA and other high-resourced countries 85–87 illustrate significant challenges for tobacco control. For example, California pursued successful enforcement action against several tobacco company violations, such as distributing free tobacco products at sporting events where minors competed and mailing free cigarettes to individuals' homes.…”