Is the ban on tobacco displays effective?

Banning the display of tobacco products in dedicated retail outlets is effective from a public health perspective, as it is associated with an increase in successful quit attempts, particularly among women. These are the conclusions of a study conducted in Canada, the results of which were published in the journal Tobacco Control.

The researchers analyzed data from various surveys conducted as part of the Tobacco Control Canada Survey between 2004 and 2010, a period during which various Canadian provinces implemented shelf bans on tobacco products. The objective of the study was to determine whether there was an association between living in a province that had implemented such a measure and changes in smoking behavior.[1].

Nearly 50% more successful weanings thanks to the ban on displays

The study results clearly show that people living in a province that had implemented a ban on the display of tobacco products in points of sale for more than two years were more likely to successfully quit smoking, compared to residents of provinces without such a measure in place. Indeed, the successful cessation rate was 1.49 times higher in the former category compared to the latter. For the researchers, displays of tobacco products in points of sale can complicate attempts to quit and increase the risk of relapse, particularly for people who have recently quit smoking.

Ban on display more likely to benefit women's health

The impact of the ban on display also shows strong variability depending on the gender of individuals. In particular, the study highlights that women, in provinces that have implemented the measure for two years or less, seem more sensitive to the removal of stalls in their successful weaning process. For provinces that have not implemented a ban, or for provinces that have applied it for more than 24 months, the researchers show, however, that the rate of weaning attempts does not vary significantly between men and women. Similarly, the results do not indicate any particular variations depending on the level of education or income levels of individuals. For the authors of the study, given that smoking remains a social marker, it is necessary for the public authorities, in addition to the ban on displays, to put in place targeted policies aimed at reducing social inequality in the face of smoking cessation.

Effects to be observed in the medium term

This study, which demonstrates the effectiveness of shelf bans, also highlights the need to evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control policies in the medium and even long term. According to the authors of the study, it seems necessary to evaluate public policies 24 months after their implementation, given that their effects can take some time to manifest, and that seasonal fluctuations can interfere with the understanding of smoking behavior and consumption dynamics. Moreover, while the study does not address this topic, other scientific research has already demonstrated the effectiveness of shelf bans in preventing smoking, in the sense that the shelf constitutes a form of tobacco advertising.

FT

[1] Usidame B, Xie Y, Thrasher JF, et al, Differential impact of the Canadian point-of-sale tobacco display bans on quit attempts and smoking cessation outcomes by sex, income and education: longitudinal findings from the ITC Canada Survey, Tobacco Control Published Online First: 11 January 2022. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056805