Tobacco Free Florida Tackles Harmful Marketing at the Point-of-Sale in Okaloosa County
Source: Allison McDaniel, [email protected], (850) 344-0572
FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. — Bans on traditional forms of advertising for tobacco and nicotine products have grown. In response, tobacco companies have increased brand exposure and price promotion at the point-of-sale (POS). Increased exposure to marketing at the POS is a major public health concern because it:
- Familiarizes tobacco and nicotine products
- Promotes acceptability of product usage
- Reduces the negative health effects associated with product usage
- Increases unplanned product purchases
- Discourages quitting among current smokers
- Encourages smoking and vaping in young adults
- Strengthens likelihood of smoking after exposure
Tobacco companies are aware of the negative and influential behaviors associated with exposure to their advertisements at the POS. Tobacco companies spending over 85% of their annual advertising budget on POS marketing clearly indicates this8.
Reliable research methods for measuring exposure to POS advertisements are therefore needed to:
- Determine their impact
- Justify policy change
- Improve tobacco prevention and cessation efforts
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County in conjunction with Tobacco Free Florida strives to realize such research methods. Tobacco Free Florida Providers and Tobacco Free Partnership Members in Okaloosa County are working to create a heathier environment at the POS by:
- Conducting local surveillance
- Energizing local task forces
- Educating community constituents
“To improve the health of Okaloosa County residents we must better understand the effects of point-of-sale advertising,” said Elizabeth Smith, Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County. “From there we can work on how to reduce these promotional exposures, especially among young adults.”
Tobacco Free Florida Provider, Logan Goodson, and Okaloosa County Tobacco Free Partnership Member, Megan Cassell Pina, completed over 90 tobacco retail store reviews between the months of March and April in 2022. Data obtained from these tobacco retail store reviews will aid in informing local tobacco prevention and cessation efforts in Okaloosa County.
If you would like to learn more or become involved, please contact Tobacco Free Florida Provider, Logan Goodson, at [email protected].
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
About Tobacco Free Florida
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s Tobacco Settlement Fund. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.TobaccoFreeFlorida.com.
