Support for a point-of-sale cigarette display ban among smokers: findings from the international tobacco control (ITC) Netherlands survey

Dirk-Jan A Van Mourik,Gera E Nagelhout,Bas Van Den Putte,Math J J M Candel,Marc C Willemsen,Karin Hummel,Geoffrey T Fong,Hein De Vries

doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5666-4

Dirk-Jan A Van Mourik, Gera E Nagelhout + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5666-4

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Abstract

BackgroundDisplaying tobacco products at point-of-sale (PoS) has become an important marketing strategy for the tobacco industry. This study was designed to (1) examine how support for a PoS cigarette display ban changed among Dutch smokers between 2010 and 2015 and (2) identify the variables that predict support among smokers for a PoS cigarette display ban.MethodsLongitudinal data from six annual survey waves (2010-2015) from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey were analyzed. The sample consisted of between 1279 and 1800 smokers per year. Smokers were asked whether they supported a complete ban on displays of cigarettes inside shops and stores.ResultsSupport for a PoS cigarette display ban increased from 28.9% in 2010 to 42.5% in 2015 (OR = 1.40, p < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that support for a PoS display ban of cigarettes was more likely among smokers who had more knowledge about the health risks of smoking (OR = 3.97, p < 0.001), believed smoking-related health risks to be severe (OR = 1.39, p < 0.001), had a more positive attitude towards quitting smoking (OR = 1.44, p = 0.006), reported stronger social norms to quit smoking (OR = 1.29, p = 0.035), had a higher self-efficacy for quitting smoking (OR = 1.31, p = 0.001), and had stronger intentions to quit smoking (OR = 1.23, p = 0.006).ConclusionsThis paper showed that support for a PoS display ban of cigarettes increased among smokers in the Netherlands over the years. To further increase support, educational campaigns about the dangers of smoking, and campaigns that encourage quitting may be needed.

Highlights

Displaying tobacco products at point-of-sale (PoS) has become an important marketing strategy for the tobacco industry
Support for a PoS cigarette display ban between 2010 and 2015 Table 2 shows that support for a PoS display ban of cigarettes increased from 28.9% in 2010 to 42.5% in 2015
A separate Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis including interaction terms of wave by educational level revealed that the support for a PoS cigarette display ban increased less among moderately educated smokers than among highly

Summary

Introduction

Displaying tobacco products at point-of-sale (PoS) has become an important marketing strategy for the tobacco industry. As countries take action to reduce tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS), the tobacco industry has fewer opportunities to promote their products. Displaying tobacco products at point-of-sale (PoS) has become one of the most important remaining tools for the tobacco industry to communicate with current and potential customers [1,2,3,4,5], increasing the importance of PoS tobacco display bans to reduce TAPS. Research has shown that exposure to PoS tobacco displays increases susceptibility for smoking uptake among youth [4, 13, 14]. Restrictions on PoS tobacco displays can lead to fewer display recalls [15] and may help to denormalise smoking [16]

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