RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Shadow reporting on compliance to tobacco advertisement bans at points of sale in Turkey JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P1056 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Efza Evrengil A1 Elif Dagli A1 Members of TTS TC Shadow Reporting Group YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1056.abstract AB Points of sale (PoS) are tobacco industry’s last stronghold for actual communication with the youth and other target groups. The WHO FCTC recommends a total ban on display and visibility of tobacco products at PoS. Turkey has adopted legislation that only partially bans PoS displays.Aim: Concerned about the recent increase in consumption, Turkish health NGOs joined forces to investigate this critical policy question.Methods: Shadow reporting techniques developed by the FCA were utilized to survey compliance in 7 cities during Jan-Feb 2013.Results: Out of 58 retailers surveyed, tobacco displays of 56% were visible from outside the shops, 28% were located in more than one area, 20% were accessible by customers, 22% featured advertising, 13% displayed packs by hiding pictorial warnings, and price tags at 60% did not comply with legislation. Only 1.5% of shops had fronts of display units covered.Conclusion: Noncompliance increased in comparison to a 2011 study which found visibility of products from outside as 44%. Partial bans cause ambiguity in implementation and are difficult to enforce. Given these problems and lack of official data, shadow reporting is a beneficial independent assessment method and advocacy tool. The policy area of display of tobacco products at PoS is situated at the juncture where demand control policies aiming at individuals meet liberal production and trade policies that are wide open to industry interference. In this connection, a complete ban is an essential tobacco control policy as it obliterates tobacco industry’s ability to use PoS as advertisement and promotion venues and has a direct bearing on increasing the effectiveness of demand side policies.