Retail Sales

Analysis of the US Department of Justice's Verdict: Big Tobacco

Violated Racketeering Laws (RICO) by Lying About Marketing to Youth

Retail Tobacco Advertising: A Decision Making Guide

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Effects of Tobacco Ads

Teens are much more likely to smoke due to advertising than they are due to peer pressure.

Convenience store tobacco advertising distorts adolescents’ perceptions about the availability and popularity of tobacco.

Adolescents are much more likely to smoke the most widely advertised brands, showing the power of ads.

Tobacco companies may be targeting children by encouraging placement of ads at their eye level or near candy displays.

Think retail ads don't make much of a difference? The tobacco industry does. That's why they're spending

$2.5 million every day in New York State

to advertise their deadly products.

Most of that is spent on retail store ads.

"...more prominent product displays...

They're right at the point of purchase

at the moment of consumer decision...This helps sustain sales..."

--Investor Business Daily newspaper, 9/18/06

Wonder what the customers think? Recent randomized scientific surveys of Madison County residents have shown that

76.7% favor limitations or prohibitions on tobacco ads.

Tobacco Look-Alikes

Candy cigarettes and other tobacco look-alikes are designed to make tobacco use seem socially acceptable.

Some children who report having used candy cigarettes were twice as likely to have also smoked tobacco cigarettes, regardless of parental smoking status.

Many retailers have eliminated sale of tobacco look-alikes. For example, Wal-Mart has created a nationwide policy not to sell these products.

“We have never raised any objection to the use of our labels feeling, for your more or less private information, that it is not too bad an advertisement."
- Letter from a tobacco company to a candy-cigarette manufacturer

If you are a store manager, here are some ways you can help:

Ø Don’t sell any products that mimic tobacco, such as bubble gum cigarettes, chocolate cigars, beef jerky chew, etc.

Ø Move tobacco products away from items popular with children, such as candy, soda, water, snacks, etc.

Ø Move signage, promotional items, and tobacco products away from the eye level of children.

Ø Remove signage and items with logos if you are not under contract to keep them posted.

Ø Consider removing all signage or eliminating sale of tobacco products altogether.

Would you like a free individualized consultation about your store's ads? We would be happy to help. Click here to contact us.

Looking for laws about tobacco sales to minors? Click here.

Decide to quit now! Call 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit nysmokefree.com.