Integrating Tobacco Control and Obesity Prevention Initiatives at Retail Outlets

Abstract

Tobacco products are sold in approximately 375,000 US retail outlets, including convenience stores and pharmacies, which often sell energy-dense, low-nutrient foods and beverages. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) increased authority over tobacco product sales and marketing, combined with declining smoking rates, provides an opportunity to transition tobacco retailers toward healthier retail environments. Unfortunately, research into improving consumer retail environments is often conducted in isolation by researchers working in tobacco control, nutrition, and physical activity. Interdisciplinary efforts are needed to transform tobacco retailers from stores that are dependent on a declining product category, to the sale and promotion of healthful foods and creating environments conducive to active living. The objective of this article is to describe the potential for interdisciplinary efforts to transition retailers away from selling and promoting tobacco products and toward creating retail environments that promote healthful eating and active living.

Tobacco Marketing at SNAP- and WIC-Authorized Retail Food Stores in the United States

“…Department of Agriculture, 2015b), many stores lack a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy products (Laska, Caspi, Pelletier, Friebur, & Harnack, 2015). Healthy retailer licensing is a policy option that aims to increase healthy food availability in stores, as well as limit the marketing and availability of tobacco and alcohol products (Ribisl et al, 2016). The federal SNAP program or state WIC programs could create “healthy retailer” designations to better promote stores offering healthy options and empower consumers to choose outlets that are health promoting, with enhanced nutrition options and reduced marketing/availability of unhealthy products, such as tobacco.…”

“…At the local level, in addition to improving healthy food access through healthy store programs, there is also an opportunity to reach WIC and SNAP recipients at the point-of-sale with promotions and marketing for healthy alternatives. Instead of dedicating space to tobacco products and marketing, that space could be used for creating displays for healthy snacks and beverages near the checkout counter, and displaying signs promoting those healthy alternatives (Ribisl et al, 2016). For example, in a systematic review of small-store interventions to create healthier retail environments, Gittelsohn, Rowan, and Gadhoke (2012) found that “healthy corner store” programs improved healthy product availability (e.g., produce), increased sales of healthier foods, and also increased customer awareness of healthy eating.…”

“…Healthy retailer licensing and healthy retail campaigns have the potential to address the top preventable causes of death in our nation—tobacco use and obesity—while also ameliorating food deserts. However, when working to reduce tobacco product availability in stores, policymakers and public health officials should ensure that unhealthy products, such as sugary snacks and candy, do not take their place (Ribisl et al, 2016).…”

Association Between Food Distress and Smoking Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults, Schenectady, New York, 2013–2014

“…For eliminating pro-tobacco in-store environments, convenience stores, dollar stores, and drug stores should be prioritized for intervention. The ongoing public health campaign to ban tobacco sales in drug stores can be combined with an initiative to increase healthy food choices and nutrition guidance, by demonstrating to the drug store industry that consumers are increasingly interested in healthful products ( 30 ).…”

Food deserts and cardiovascular health among young adults

“…The findings of the current study have implications for improving local food retail environments, which in turn may enhance cardiovascular health. First, in communities that lack access to full-service grocery stores, but contain a number of convenience stores or bodegas, these smaller retailers in distressed communities can stock healthier options, as well as limit unhealthy items such as tobacco products (42,43) . Second, mobile food markets should be more widely expanded to service food deserts.…”