Point of sales: Playground of the tobacco industry

Abstract

Aim: Tobacco industry still uses the point of sales as their billboard for advertising, inspite of all the legislation enacted. The aim of this study is to observe the compliance to the tobacco control legislation at point of sales (POS) and compare with previous years.

Method: This study was carried out in December 2021 using Framework Convention Alliance methodology for shadow reporting at POS. POS in 1 km diameter in four commercially dense districts of Istanbul were visited by walking tour. Observation forms were filled and photos were taken to document violations .

Results: Of the 198 POS visited 100 % had illegal price tags,96% displayed products at the eye level of children, 93,9 % had stacked various sizes of cigarette packs to create the same design implying the industry interference,91,9 had advertising on display units, 86,9 % placed packs so as to hide pictorial warnings,81,1 % had tobacco advertising in the shop, 80,8 % did not have notices about sales to minors 76,3% had shelves carrying colors or logo of a tobacco company, 74,2% sold cigars and cigarillos by stick, 69,7 % had displays on the counter, 27,3 % had special cabinets provided by the industry, 15,7 % sold menthol balls with cigarette injectors, 4,5 % had e-cigarette sales which is not legal in Turkey.

Conclusion: Sales by stick at POS increased from 33% in 2019 to 74% in 2021, display on the counter from 31% to 70%, owning a special cabinet provided by the industry increased from 2% to 27 %, industry shelving from 67% to 76%. Violation at POS seemed to continue at an increased rate compared to previous years.