Abstract
Objective: Following strict advertising bans of tobacco products, the industry started promoting their products through point of sales (POS), especially targeting the youth. The aim of this study is to identify strategies of ad ban violations created by the industry at POS.
Method: POS in the commercial districts in Istanbul were visited according to the methodology described by (FCA) in July 2019. Ad violations were noted and an interview was carried out by the shop owners.
Method: Out of 216 POS, 36 (16.7%) consented for the interview. Of those, 34 shop owners revealed that the shelves were gifted by tobacco industry and they had to display the product as instructed. 33 vendors told to be paid rent for the displays. 29 vendors confessed receiving promotions in the form of gifts or holidays from tobacco companies in return for displays. Many vendors stated that, the industry sent marketing staff to attract the attention of customers to the new products. Vendors also revealed that the industry paid more for display shelves that can be seen from outside the shop, which was illegal. Each tobacco company paid for a separete display shelf. Vendors accomodated several display shelves paid by various tobacco companies to increase their income.
Conclusion: Vendors of tobacco products earn more money from illegal advertising than actual sales of the tobacco products. Display shelves are accepted as advertising billboards both by the industry and vendors. Stricts enforcement is required at tobacco point of sales. It is crucial for the inspection method and staff to be identified in order to enforce the ad bans at POS, thus to protect youth.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 3035.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020