Tobacco: Out of sight, out of mind?

PA 323/10 - Putting tobacco out of sight in shops can change the attitude of young people to smoking, while not hitting retailers in the pocket, researchers at The University of Nottingham have discovered. Academics from the University's UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies looked at the effect of the removal of tobacco displays in the Republic of Ireland, ahead of similar legislation which is due to come into force in the UK. The findings are published today in the journal Tobacco Control . In one study the research team found that the number of teenagers who recalled tobacco displays dropped from 81 per cent to only 22 per cent, after July 1 when the displays were removed. After they were removed, fewer young people believed smoking is widespread among their peers — before this 62 per cent thought that more than one in five children their own age smoked, which fell to 46 per cent afterwards. After displays were covered up, 38 per cent of teenagers thought the measure would make it easier for children not to smoke and 14 per cent of adults thought the law made it easier to quit smoking. The research also showed support for putting tobacco out of sight rose from 58 per cent to 66 per cent after the measure came into force.