The Cigarette News...

Tobacco sales and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs from large cities around the world

+ Author Affiliations

¹Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
²Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
³Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
⁴Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Correspondence to Dr Ana Navas-Acien, Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Office W7033B, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; anavas@jhsph.edu

Contributors AN-A, JMS and PNB had the idea for the study. SS, AN-A and HW directed the fieldwork. The FAMRI Bar Study Investigators directed the fieldwork within their country. EAT prepared the study database. SS and AN-A analysed the data and drafted the manuscript. All authors participated in the interpretation of the results and contributed to the writing of the manuscript.

Received 20 September 2010
Accepted 5 January 2011
Published Online First 17 February 2011

Abstract

Context Little is known about tobacco promotion activities in low and middle-income countries. Information on tobacco sales, advertisement and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs is needed to develop interventions to reduce smoking initiation and relapse, particularly among youths and young adults.

Objective To evaluate cigarette sales and tobacco advertisement and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs using a volunteer survey approach in large cities throughout the world.

Methods Between 2007 and 2009, we administered an interview-based survey to 231 bar/cafe/nightclub owners/managers in 24 large cities in Africa, the Americas, Asia and eastern Europe.

Results Cigarette sales and tobacco advertisement and promotions were found in bars/cafes/nightclubs in most cities. Examples of promotions included cigarette giveaways and event sponsorship. Establishments that allowed smoking were more likely to sell cigarettes compared to smoke-free establishments (OR 8.67, 95% CI 3.25 to 23.1). Larger establishments (maximum occupancy ≥100 vs <100 customers) were more likely to have tobacco advertising (OR 4.35, 95% CI 2.04 to 9.24) and to receive promotional items from tobacco companies (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.41 to 7.17).

Conclusions Cigarette sales and tobacco promotions were common in bars, cafes and nightclubs in the majority of cities. Socialising and hospitality venues must be covered by legislation banning tobacco sales and promotions to limit exposure among populations at high risk of tobacco initiation and relapse from quitting.

Pennsylvania to Offer Free Nicotine Patches Beginning Feb. 14

'Quit for Love' Campaign Encourages Smokers to Put Loved Ones First

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Health will offer free nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, kits starting on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, to help Pennsylvanians who want to give up tobacco in the name of love.

Under the "Quit for Love" campaign, the kits will be available through the state's Free Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for approximately six to eight weeks, or while supplies last.

"Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease," said acting Secretary of Health Dr. Eli Avila. "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one of every five deaths nationwide is attributed to smoking. Quitting tobacco is a major step toward improving your overall health. Do it for yourself, for your friends, for your loved ones."

"We know that most people will try to quit an average of five to eight times before they succeed," said Leslie Best, Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Bureau Director. "Counseling coupled with the NRT increases the chances of success."

Individuals interested in receiving a free, four-week NRT kit should call the PA Free Quitline, 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quit coaches will ask callers if they are ready to set a quit date and have any medical conditions that would rule out the safe use of nicotine patches. Callers will then enroll in a series of free counseling sessions.

The NRT kits are paid for by funding from the federal stimulus program and the Master Settlement Agreement. Under this agreement, 46 states -- including Pennsylvania -- receive payments from the tobacco industry to offset smoking-related medical costs and to help reduce the use of tobacco products.

Additional resources and information can be found online at www.DeterminedToQuit.com. The website provides guidance in developing a quit plan, a quit companion and calculator, and video blogs of other Pennsylvania residents sharing their own stories about quitting tobacco. There is also information for friends and family members of smokers who wish to support their loved one in their attempt to quit.

For more information about the state's cessation resources, call the PA Free Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.DeterminedToQuit.com.

The Department of Health's anti-tobacco efforts are intended to help individuals to quit—or never start—using tobacco products, and to curb the retail sale of tobacco to minors.

Media contact: Yasmin Coleman or Brandi Hunter-Davenport, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health