So what do we do about it?

Studies have consistently shown that low-income communities and communities of color are more heavily exposed to  tobacco advertising at the point-of-sale than other communities.Additionally, such advertising may be targeted to or disproportionately impact certain population groups. For instance, the messaging used in marketing menthol cigarettes has been culturally tailored and targeted toward communities of color, especially Africans Americans.

Placement of and Price Discounts on Tobacco Products:

Tobacco companies have used a variety of point-of-sale strategies to place tobacco products prominently in the retail environment and keep these products affordable.  For example, in 2011, the tobacco industry spent an estimated $8 billion, or nearly $23 million per day, on cigarette advertising and promotional expenses in the United States alone. Approximately 84% (or nearly $7 billion) of this expenditure was spent on price discounts to cigarette retailers or wholesalers to reduce the price of cigarettes to consumers.87 A placement strategy may include placing tobacco products (e.g., cigarillos, cigars) next to candy or within the view of children and youth.88 Additionally, tobacco companies may deeply discount their products in stores in lower-income communities and require targeted placement of signs advertising lower prices in these stores.89 Youth and low-income individuals may be particularly sensitive to prominently placed, inexpensive tobacco products.79,90

Greater Density of Tobacco Retailers in Underserved Communities:

Research has shown that tobacco retail outlets are more heavily concentratedin low-income communities and communities of color than in higher incomecommunities.This makes tobacco products more readily accessible,potentially increasing consumption.

So what should we do about it? Join TFW at the Tobacco Marketing Summit on May 28, 2014 to hear about possible solutions to this and other tobacco marketing issues. Register for FREE HERE

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