Retail display ban
Encyclopedia
Tobacco display ban or point of sale display ban is a measure imposed in some jurisdictions prohibiting shops and stores to display tobacco
products.
Retail display bans have been tried in a handful of countries: Canada, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and in two Australian states. The implementation differs, but the ban in most jurisdictions mandates that shops and stores that sell tobacco products keep the products out of sight of customers, under the counter, or in special cabinets. Tobacco products can only be shown on request from customers. The idea behind the regulation is that people would be less inclined to smoke if they can not see the products.
The results are debated. Opponents of the ban claim that the regulations have caused shops to close as a result of costs associated with the ban, and that the bans have caused the proportion of illegal or contraband cigarettes sold to increase. Following the ban in Canada, 27 per cent of cigarettes sold are contraband. and 15 per cent of convenience stores have closed.
In Iceland 30 per cent of smaller shops have closed. Studies at the same time shows that the ban has not been followed by decreases in smoking, on the contrary teenage smoking have in some cases, e.g. in Thailand, increased.
Proponents of the ban claim that the stores have closed for other reasons and that the studies that show that smoking have not decreased are flawed.
In the August 2010 issue of Pediatrics
it is argued that youngsters that often visit tobacco stores smoke more often than their peers. However, the results can also be interpreted as people who smoke more often visit shops that sell tobacco products.
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
products.
Retail display bans have been tried in a handful of countries: Canada, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and in two Australian states. The implementation differs, but the ban in most jurisdictions mandates that shops and stores that sell tobacco products keep the products out of sight of customers, under the counter, or in special cabinets. Tobacco products can only be shown on request from customers. The idea behind the regulation is that people would be less inclined to smoke if they can not see the products.
The results are debated. Opponents of the ban claim that the regulations have caused shops to close as a result of costs associated with the ban, and that the bans have caused the proportion of illegal or contraband cigarettes sold to increase. Following the ban in Canada, 27 per cent of cigarettes sold are contraband. and 15 per cent of convenience stores have closed.
In Iceland 30 per cent of smaller shops have closed. Studies at the same time shows that the ban has not been followed by decreases in smoking, on the contrary teenage smoking have in some cases, e.g. in Thailand, increased.
Proponents of the ban claim that the stores have closed for other reasons and that the studies that show that smoking have not decreased are flawed.
In the August 2010 issue of Pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
it is argued that youngsters that often visit tobacco stores smoke more often than their peers. However, the results can also be interpreted as people who smoke more often visit shops that sell tobacco products.
| Country | Notes and date of implementation |
|---|---|
 Australia |
Legislation in place in most states |
 Canada |
Display ban now in place for all provences with Saskatchewen being the first in 2005. The most recent legislation coming into force in Labrador and Newfoundland on 1st January 2010. Ontario banned the display of tobacco products from 31st May 2008 and Alberta and British Columbia in the summer of 2008 |
 Kingdom of England |
A retail display ban for large shops will come into force on 6th April 2012 and for smaller shops on the 6th April 2015 |
 Finland |
The display of tobacco products is due to be banned from 1st January 2012 |
 Iceland |
First country in the world to implement a shop display ban for tobacco in 2001 |
 Republic of Ireland |
First country in the EU to implement a display ban which came into effect on 1st July 2009 |
 New Zealand |
Legislation was recently passed to prohibit the display of tobacco products |
 Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... |
Legislation passed to ban the display of tobacco products |
 Norway |
Since 1st January 2010 the display of tobacco products has been prohibited |
 Kingdom of Scotland |
Legislation passed to ban the display of tobacco products. Date of implementation yet to be set due to ongoing legal challenges |
 Thailand |
Display ban came into effect in 2005 |