Inaugural Research Seminar Point of sale displays and beyond: The next steps for tobacco control in retail settings

Retailers’ Voluntary Removal of Tobacco from Open Display Industry Arguments cf. Retailers’ Experiences

Industry arguments Tobacco industry responds directly: A tightly regulated industry selling a legal product Also responds indirectly, via front groups A ban on displays is neither practical nor necessary No reliable evidence showing a ban would be effective Retailers would be placed at risk Crime would increase Negative impact disproportionate with unproven outcomes “Mum and Dad” businesses would suffer

Methodology Obtained list of retailers who had removed tobacco from overt display, but still sold tobacco products Contact attempted with 26 retailers 11 interviews were secured OutletsNumber Small dairies3 Convenience stores, minimarts or small supermarkets 4 Grocery stores, general stores and mid-size supermarkets 3 Food bars1

Results: Security Even those who had not been affected by theft felt open display of tobacco created a risk Covered storage logically reduced the risk of theft Made access more difficult and time consuming “We’ve had trouble with break-ins, because they’re [cigarettes] very visible from outside the store.” Those who had been burgled reported reduction in crime: “The break-ins when the store’s closed, you know, after hours break-ins, it’s completely ceased at the moment, which is amazing.”

Results: Social Responsibility Some felt uncomfortable selling tobacco: “ I wish we didn’t sell cigarettes actually, they’re a pain”. Removing tobacco displays maintained their own values: I suppose more of a personal thing, to say…well, that’s not what we believe in, so if we have to stock it, we might as well do it responsibly” Particularly with respect to children: “Most important was the fact that we are also trying to encourage our young people, our children, not to see it. Not to see it and not to smoke”.

Results: Implementation Two main options Covering the racks or carousels; Putting the products under the counter “ well it didn’t take us long to get used to the idea that we had to open doors, for the customers.” “it’s much easier to use and work than the old system we had” “it’s actually great; I like having it [cupboard door] down, that way if someone does charge into the shop when our backs are turned, no one can pull for it. It keeps it secure.”

Conclusions Industry lobby groups have made many claims about the effects of removing tobacco displays: A ban on displays is not practical or necessary Retailers surveyed reported no difficulties making new arrangements and adapted to these easily There would be negative impacts on consumers Only one negative reaction noted; most customers positive or neutral as already knew what they wanted The impacts on retailers could be significant Retailers felt safer not less secure Effects on sales minor; tobacco a low profit product and sales already in decline