Retailer opinions about and compliance with family smoking prevention and tobacco control act point of sale provisions: a survey of tobacco retailers

Abstract

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to document retailer opinions about tobacco control policy at the point of sale (POS) and link these opinions with store level compliance with sales and marketing provisions of the Tobacco Control Act.MethodsThis study conducted interviews of 252 tobacco retailers in three counties in North Carolina and linked their opinions with in-person observational audit data of their stores’ compliance with POS policies. We conducted analyses examining retailer factors associated with noncompliance using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) controlling for individual, store, neighborhood, and county factors.ResultsOver 90 % of retailers support minors’ access provisions and a large minority (over 40 %) support graphic warnings and promotion bans. Low levels of support were found for a potential ban on menthol cigarettes (17 %). Store noncompliance with tobacco control policies was associated with both more reported retailer barriers to compliance and less support for POS policies. Awareness of and source of information about tobacco control regulations were not associated with compliance when accounting for neighborhood and county characteristics.ConclusionsRetailers expressed some support for a wide range of POS policies. Advocates and government agencies tasked with enforcement can work with retailers as stakeholders to enhance support, mitigate barriers, and promote compliance with tobacco control efforts at the point of sale.

Compliance with point-of-sale tobacco control policies and student tobacco use in Mumbai, India

“…315455 In order to overcome barriers, tobacco vendors may benefit from clear instruction and training. 56 Penalty infringement notices, a graduated system of fines, retail outlet inspections, non-compliance counselling to correct infractions and undercover compliance checks by minors have been effective, 3157 as have community organising and norm change strategies. 5859 Changing COTPA’s partial ban on POS displays to a complete ban could facilitate enforcement and compliance.…”

Prevalence and characteristics of tobacco purchases in convenience stores: results of a postpurchase intercept survey in Dunedin, New Zealand

“…They also assert that tobacco increases footfall, and that customers who purchase tobacco tend to buy other higher margin non-tobacco items, thus increasing overall turnover and profit 7. Tobacco manufacturers cultivate relationships with small retailers,7 8 11 offer them incentives to stock tobacco12–14 and promote tobacco as a core item in their product range 15. One Imperial Tobacco trade advertisement claimed, ‘Smokers don’t just buy tobacco products.…”

Retailers’ perspectives on selling tobacco in a low-income San Francisco neighbourhood after California’s $2 tobacco tax increase

“…Not only did they have few contracts with tobacco companies, but many also expressed ambivalence about selling tobacco, whether because of decreasing profitability, the stress and ‘hassle’ involved and/or concerns for customer well-being. These findings underscore the value of viewing retailers as potential stakeholders in tobacco control efforts 13. In San Francisco, this recognition has already borne fruit: retailer outreach and engagement by the Department of Public Health and others proved vital to the passage of a 2014 ordinance capping the number of tobacco retail licences at 45 in each of the city’s 11 districts 39.…”

“…Given the limitations of our study and the small number of earlier studies that have examined tobacco retailers’ perspectives on selling tobacco, and on tobacco control policies,7–13 42 43 further research is needed. Little is known, for example, about the perspectives of large retail chains that sell tobacco, although some information is available on those that have discontinued the practice 41 44.…”

“…Indeed, their opposition to, or support for, tobacco control policies can be critical in determining the outcome of policy proposals 6. Although we might expect uniform retailer opposition to tobacco tax increases, or to tobacco control policies more generally, research in the USA and internationally suggests that retailers often support some tobacco control policies, despite their potential economic downsides 7–13. Given the key role that retailers play in the tobacco control policy landscape—both in influencing policy outcomes and in complying with and interpreting policies for their customers—we sought to understand their perspectives on California’s recent cigarette tax increase.…”