Tobacco displays cause quitters to relapse

12 October 2009

Seeing cigarettes for sale increases the likelihood of a person smoking within a four hour period by more than 25 per cent, research has revealed at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference in Darwin (9 October).

Researchers from Macquarie University, led by Associate Professor Suzan Burton, examined the factors that lead to smokers relapsing, with findings confirming beliefs that tobacco displays are a major barrier for smokers trying to kick the habit.

"Tobacco displays at point of purchase are a key reason that smokers attempting to quit are unsuccessful," Professor Burton said. "Even if the person doesn't actually buy a packet of cigarettes, they are still 25 per cent more likely to smoke within any four hour period if they see a tobacco display.

"Our research also suggests that people who are trying to quit are particularly likely to be influenced to smoke and to buy cigarettes after seeing them displayed within the first month of quitting."

Associate Professor Burton said the research also revealed some interesting buying habits of smokers.

"It is well known that supermarkets are the most common place for people to buy cigarettes. However, people who are trying to quit smoking and lighter smokers are more likely than regular smokers to buy cigarettes while out in pubs and clubs. This is due to the fact that they can see the cigarettes for sale, see other people smoking and are usually drinking alcohol - factors that combine to create a very challenging situation for a recent quitter."

Cancer Council Australia Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Olver, said point-of-sale displays of tobacco products were one of the last remaining forms of tobacco advertising and tt was critical that they were removed.

"Currently the ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria have all legislated to end tobacco displays in shops, with the legislation varying slightly from state to state," Professor Olver said.

"Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland are all making moves toward implementing a ban, but South Australia is yet to show its support for the measure."

"The evidence is clear - removing tobacco displays is a key priority for tobacco control."

(Source: Cancer Council South Australia: Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Darwin: October 2009)

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Article Comments

Comment from: Jeanette Bennett | 12/10/2009 10:27:52 AM
well with respect to the research can these people please enlighten myself as to why my husband quit smoking over five years ago has shown no desire to smoke again he puts up with me smoking around him all day long he goes shopping with me he views all these advertisements but has never smoked since giving up smoking have'nt these people got there research somewhat wrong or do they just grab at an idea and say this will be the model we will use to prove our point well if it is I am sorry it is a load of rubbish as i have proved with my husband these people do not know what they are talking about you are fools.

Comment from: Enlightener | 12/10/2009 12:41:10 PM
Allow me to enlighten you. He smokes! Thats right, everytime you take a puff he gets a nice dosage of second hand smoke. You are a wonderful wife. Keep up the tobacco supply for your husband who you care a lot for.

Comment from: bev | 12/10/2009 6:23:28 PM
i gave up smoking for 5 years, and had a husband who still smoked around me, i saw all the advertising and it did not make me want to start up again. i agree that people pick a subject and run with it. if people want to start again they will

Comment from: Mark | 14/10/2009 2:32:42 AM
Gotta love when people use a sample size of ONE to try and prove a study wrong. Just because your husband doesn't smoke after seeing tobacco advertising doesn't mean it has no effect. In fact, if you bothered to read the article, it increases the risk of someone smoking 25o/o in the 4-hour period after seeing the ad. That right there should tell you it doesn't affect everyone, but does put some portion of the population at risk. Honestly.