Global evidence on the effect of point-of-sale display bans on smoking prevalence

Abstract

Background Since Iceland became the first country to impose a ban on point-of-sale (POS) displays in 2001, there have been 20 countries in total in the world implementing POS display bans as of 2016. Methods This study examined the effect that POS display bans have on smoking prevalence to provide evidence on their effectiveness in tobacco control.The data were sourced from Euromonitor International and WHO MPOWER package during 2007-2014 from 77 countries worldwide. Generalized Linear Model with country and year fixed effects was implemented to analyze the effect of POS display bans on smoking prevalence. Results Having a POS display ban decreased overall adult smoking, male smoking, and female smoking by about 7%, 6%, and 9%, respectively. Conclusions Having a POS display ban is likely to reduce smoking prevalence. Adopting such policies has the potential to generate public health benefits. Countries currently without a POS display ban are encouraged to implement such policies to curb the smoking epidemic.

Keywords

• WCTOH