Facts
The tobacco industry should, as far as possible, be prevented from using marketing to acquire new customers, who risk becoming trapped in a lifelong, life-threatening addiction. The cigarette packets and snuff boxes displayed in stores and other points of sale are the tobacco companies' most effective marketing. It is with this advertising that they attract new consumers among children, and make it more difficult for tobacco users who are trying to quit.
More and more countries are therefore legislating, based on the tobacco control convention, that tobacco products may not be displayed in the shops where they are sold. The tobacco products are available for purchase for those who ask for them, but are stored out of sight of customers – for example in cabinets or drawers. There are also no signs, stickers or other advertising for tobacco in the shop. This type of legislation is called a display ban for tobacco products.
A comprehensive advertising ban, according to the tobacco convention, should apply to all commercial activities that are aimed at directly or indirectly promoting a tobacco product – or tobacco use. The activity does not need to have this express purpose to be banned, it is enough that it is likely to lead to the marketing of tobacco. In the case of sponsorship, all contributions to events, initiatives or people are included, if the contributions are aimed at and/or likely to lead to the marketing of tobacco.
Research shows the same thing – that exposure bans are an effective measure. A 2016 study confirmed that children who frequently see tobacco products in stores are 1,6 times more likely to try smoking and 1,3 times more likely to start smoking regularly than those who are less frequently exposed to tobacco signage. The results show that exposure bans reduce smoking among children. Other studies show that exposure bans lead to fewer relapses among those who try to quit smoking.
This is what Sweden should do
An inquiry into the Tobacco Act that was passed in 2018 proposed in its final report that the display of tobacco products at points of sale should be banned. The inquiry referred to the guidelines of the Tobacco Convention that visible tobacco in stores is in itself advertising and an effective way for tobacco companies to market tobacco. Despite this, the decision-makers chose to take into account the snus industry, which wanted milder rules, and since exceptions for one product cannot be made, a ban on the display of all products was dropped from the bill.
Tobacco Facts wants to see a total ban on the display of tobacco products in Sweden, in stores and all other points of sale, and we believe that this is what we have committed to by ratifying the Tobacco Control Convention.
Additionally:
- Introduce standardized, advertising-free packaging. Read more about it here.
- Ban the internet sale of tobacco.
- Prohibit tobacco companies from engaging in social sponsorship.
- Prohibit “brand stretching” and “brand sharing” related to tobacco products.
- Set rules for how tobacco can be shown in entertainment media such as TV shows, films, computer games and in theatre.
This is what other countries do
Iceland, Canada, Thailand, Ireland, Finland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam, France, Croatia, New Zealand, Panama, Uganda and Russia have all imposed exposure bans.
Experience in these countries shows that the laws are working as intended. Young people smoke less and the law makes it easier for people trying to quit tobacco.
When Norway introduced a ban on tobacco display at points of sale in 2010, the tobacco company Philip Morris sued the Norwegian state for violating, primarily, the EEA Agreement's article on free trade. Philip Morris lost that case, just as tobacco companies have lost other legal cases against display bans in, for example, Scotland and Ireland.
Norwegian legislation covers all types of tobacco, including snus. It also applies to e-cigarettes. In Norway, the display of these products is prohibited everywhere, including at temporary sales points such as concerts and festivals. It is also prohibited to display tobacco accessories such as smoking pipes, cigarette cases and cigarette papers. Sales points are also not allowed to display sweets that imitate tobacco products. The Norwegian display ban has strong public support.
Read more examples of tobacco prevention work in other countries in International Outlook.
Tips for politicians, public health officials, teachers and others who work in tobacco-related fields!
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Tips for politicians, public health officials, teachers and others who work in tobacco-related fields!
According to current law, the marketing of tobacco that currently takes place inside stores may not be soliciting or encouraging tobacco use.
Anyone can report violations to the Swedish Consumer Agency. If you see something that seems questionable in a store, for example, don't hesitate to report it!
Regulatory personnel have an important role in ensuring that tobacco advertising legislation is complied with.
To move forward with the implementation of the exposure ban, we need to continue to form opinions and spread knowledge together!
