South Africa: Ban Cigarette Displays

Source from:  Business Day (za)  10/25/2013

THE prevalence of smoking among schoolchildren in South Africa has declined by a quarter in the past decade but too many (about 17%) still smoke.

In an attempt to further reduce smoking among youth, the government is proposing restrictions on the display of tobacco products in shops. This is predictably being opposed by the tobacco industry (Tobacco sector fumes at plan to limit space, October 23).

The purpose of in-store promotions, according to internal tobacco industry documents, is to "attract attention, create desire and prompt purchase". Importantly, the targets of these promotions are not regular smokers but children and former smokers.

Attractive displays are designed to appeal to children thinking of experimenting with cigarettes, and to prompt impulse purchases among former smokers struggling to quit.

Recognising the importance of displays, the cigarette companies spend millions of rand each year on gifts, holidays and cash incentives to retailers requiring them to display their brands according to specific instructions, so as to make them more visible.

It is ironic that life-saving medicines cannot be publicly displayed by pharmacies but cigarettes, which are deadly, can be displayed alongside chocolates and ice cream. Enditem