Electronic cigarette advertising at the point-of-sale: a gap in tobacco control research

The objective of this study was to evaluate compliance with the ban on tobacco and e-cigarette products advertising at point of sale (POS) before and after amendment of the Polish Tobacco Control Act. Data were collected, using an observation checklist, between March and October 2014 (n = 1450 POS) and between March and October 2019 (n = 1320 POS). Ban on tobacco and e-cigarette advertising at POS is commonly violated in Poland. In all POS, at least one form (including tobacco products display) of tobacco advertising was found in 2014 and in 2019. The most common types of tobacco advertising in 2014 were change and counter mats (61%, 42%), posters (38%) and illuminated banners (37%). In 2019, a decrease in promoting tobacco products in the form of mats (p ≤ 0.001), posters and boards (p < 0.001) but an increase in video screens were observed (from 8% in 2014 to 30% in 2019; p < 0.001). A significant increase in the presence of any e-cigarette ads, including e-cigarette displays, illuminated banners and video screens, was observed in 2019 as compared to 2014 (90% vs. 30%; 89% vs. 20%; 31% vs. 2%; 31% vs. 0.5%; p < 0.001). The minimum age or a no-sale-to-minors signs for tobacco and e-cigarettes were not sufficiently placed in POS to comply with the Act. Poor enforcement of the ban on tobacco and e-cigarette ads at POS provides the tobacco industry with an opportunity to promote their products using unlawful ways. There is a need to educate the public, retailers and civil society with respect to their legal responsibilities and roles.

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Building Capacity for International Tobacco Control Research: The Global Tobacco Research Network

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2004.047183 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 95 (6) ◽

pp. 965-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Frances A. Stillman ◽

Heather L. Wipfli ◽

Harry A. Lando ◽

Scott Leischow ◽

Jonathan M. Samet

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Research Network ◽

Building Capacity ◽

Control Research

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A transdisciplinary approach to protocol development for tobacco control research: a case study

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1007/s13142-012-0164-1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 431-440 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melissa A. Clark ◽

Michelle L. Rogers ◽

Julie Boergers ◽

Christopher W. Kahler ◽

Susan Ramsey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Transdisciplinary Approach ◽

Protocol Development ◽

Control Research

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Effects of Electronic Cigarette Liquid Flavors and Modified Risk Messages on Perceptions and Subjective Effects of E-Cigarettes

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198118806965 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 197-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rose S. Bono ◽

Andrew J. Barnes ◽

Rebecca C. Lester ◽

Caroline O. Cobb

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Subjective Effects ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Electronic Cigarette ◽

Cigarette Smokers ◽

Linear Mixed Effects ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Carcinogen Exposure

Understanding how two characteristics—flavors and modified risk messages—affect perceptions and subjective effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can inform tobacco control efforts. In two within-subjects studies ( N = 17 and N = 19), the effects of e-cigarette flavors (tobacco vs. menthol and unflavored vs. cherry) and hypothetical modified risk messages (“reduced harm relative to cigarettes” vs. no message and “reduced carcinogen exposure relative to cigarettes” vs. no message) on cigarette smokers’ perceptions of e-cigarettes were measured after participants self-administered condition-specific products (own-brand cigarettes; e-cigarettes). Perceptions/subjective effects were tested using linear mixed-effects regressions. Cigarettes were perceived as most harmful but rated more positively than e-cigarettes ( ps < .05). Cherry and menthol e-cigarettes increased perceived pleasantness, taste, and physical sensations compared with unflavored and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, respectively ( ps < .05). Modified risk messages were associated with reduced ratings of aversive effects ( ps < .05) but not harm perceptions. Overall, few perceptions/subjective effects differed by e-cigarette flavor or message. Flavors and messages may have some influence on how smokers experience e-cigarettes.

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Prevalence of Cigarette Advertising and Other Promotional Strategies at the Point of Sale in St Louis, Missouri: Analysis by Store Type and Distance From a School

Preventing Chronic Disease ◽

10.5888/pcd11.130150 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joaquin Barnoya ◽

Graham Colditz ◽

Sarah Moreland-Russell ◽

Julianne Cyr ◽

Doneisha Snider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Point Of Sale ◽

Cigarette Advertising ◽

Promotional Strategies

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Advancing tobacco control research in Ghana: findings from a meeting with key stakeholders

Journal of Global Health Reports ◽

10.29392/001c.22232 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arti Singh ◽

Fiona Dobbie ◽

Divine D Logo ◽

Fiona Davidson ◽

Rob Ralston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Control Research

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Exposure to Point-of-Sale Marketing of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes as Predictors of Smoking Cessation Behaviors

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntx246 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 212-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dale S Mantey ◽

Keryn E Pasch ◽

Alexandra Loukas ◽

Cheryl L Perry

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Cue Reactivity ◽

Cigarette Smokers ◽

Point Of Sale ◽

Cigarette Advertising ◽

Advertising Exposure ◽

Cigarette Cessation ◽

Product Displays ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Cue-reactivity theory suggests that smoking-related visual cues such as point-of-sale (POS) marketing (eg, advertising, product displays) may undermine cessation attempts by causing an increase in nicotine cravings among users. This study examined the relationship between recall of exposure to POS marketing and subsequent cessation behaviors among young adult cigarette smokers. Methods Participants included 813, 18–29 year old (m = 21.1, SD = 2.70), current cigarette smokers attending 24 Texas colleges. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the impact of baseline self-reported exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette advertising and product displays, on using e-cigarettes for cessation and successful cigarette cessation at 6-month follow-up. Two-way interactions between product-specific advertising and between product-specific displays were examined to determine if the marketing of one product strengthened the cue reactivity of the other. Baseline covariates included sociodemographic factors, past quit attempts, intentions to quit smoking, and nicotine dependence. Results Exposure to e-cigarette displays was associated with lower odds of cigarette smoking cessation, controlling for covariates and conventional cigarette display exposure. E-cigarette advertising was positively associated with the use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation among participants exposed to low (ie, at least 1 SD below the mean) levels of cigarette advertising. Cigarette advertising was associated with the use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation only among those exposed to low levels of e-cigarette advertising. Exposure to cigarette displays was not associated with either outcome. Conclusion Smoking-related cues at POS may undermine successful cigarette cessation. Exposure to product displays decrease odds of cessation. Advertising exposure increased odds for using e-cigarettes for cessation attempts, but may have guided smokers towards an unproven cessation aid. Implications By examining the interaction of conventional cigarette and e-cigarette marketing exposure, this study adds a unique insight into the impact of retail tobacco marketing on cigarette smoking cessation behavior among young adults. These findings suggest that policies that balance encouraging cigarette smoking cessation while limiting marketing strategies should be considered, such as POS product displays, that may undermine successful cessation attempts.

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State-Level Point-of-Sale Tobacco News Coverage and Policy Progression Over a 2-Year Period

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839917752108 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 135-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Allison E. Myers ◽

Brian G. Southwell ◽

Kurt M. Ribisl ◽

Sarah Moreland-Russell ◽

J. Michael Bowling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Control Method ◽

Empirical Relationship ◽

News Coverage ◽

Control Policy ◽

State Level ◽

Media Content ◽

Media Advocacy ◽

Point Of Sale ◽

Source Use

Background. Mass media content may play an important role in policy change. However, the empirical relationship between media advocacy efforts and tobacco control policy success has rarely been studied. We examined the extent to which newspaper content characteristics (volume, slant, frame, source, use of evidence, and degree of localization) that have been identified as important in past descriptive studies were associated with policy progression over a 2-year period in the context of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco control. Method. We used regression analyses to test the relationships between newspaper content and policy progression from 2012 to 2014. The dependent variable was the level of implementation of state-level POS tobacco control policies at Time 2. Independent variables were newspaper article characteristics (volume, slant, frame, source, use of evidence, and degree of localization) and were collected via content analysis of the articles. State-level policy environment contextual variables were examined as confounders. Results. Positive, significant bivariate relationships exist between characteristics of news content (e.g., high overall volume, public health source present, local quote and local angle present, and pro–tobacco control slant present) and Time 2 POS score. However, in a multivariate model controlling for other factors, significant relationships did not hold. Discussion. Newspaper coverage can be a marker of POS policy progression. Whether media can influence policy implementation remains an important question. Future work should continue to tease out and confirm the unique characteristics of media content that are most associated with subsequent policy progression, in order to inform media advocacy efforts.

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