We know that the tobacco industry uses point of sale advertising to effectively attract new, current, and recently quit smokers, and according to industry documents, this advertising strategy includes the display of the cigarette pack itself, particularly when a part of “power walls.” ^[1]  Power walls like the one below are prominent displays of shelving and advertising of tobacco products in retail settings, usually located behind the counter.

They easily draw attention to tobacco products and can prompt impulse purchases. Tobacco companies often establish contracts to pay retailers for this prime merchandising spot. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2012, the tobacco industry spent $335 million on promotional allowances to tobacco retailers to control the strategic shelving and placement of tobacco products.

A new study published in the journal Tobacco Control provides additional evidence for policies and regulatory options restricting tobacco displays like “power walls” in retail settings in order to reduce the risk of initiating cigarette use among youth.^[2] This study, conducted in a replica convenience store, demonstrated that adolescents ages 11-17 who were exposed to a more prominent and visible cigarette “power wall” located behind the counter reported higher susceptibility to future cigarette smoking compared to adolescents exposed to a tobacco display hidden by an opaque wall.^[2] Levels of smoking susceptibility remained high in the condition where the power wall was moved to a sidewall,^[2] indicating the need to hide the displays completely to achieve reductions in smoking risk. In this case, out of sight may mean out of mind. 

Last updated October 11, 2023