Bureau of Tobacco Control
StatShot Vol. 6, No. 10/Sep 2013
Public Support for Tobacco Control Policies at the Point of Sale is Increasing
Research demonstrates that exposure to tobacco product displays helps normalize smoking
behavior, distorts adolescents’ perceptions of the availability of tobacco, and increases
susceptibility to smoking. New York State Department of Health contractors use community
education and mobilization strategies to educate the public about the impact of tobacco product
displays and potential solutions. Since 2010, the New York State Adult Tobacco Survey has
measured adults’ support for point of sale (POS) policies such as (a) restricting the number,
location, and type of tobacco retailers; and (b) keeping tobacco products out of sight in retail
locations open to youth.
 In 2012, 67.9% of New York adults favored a policy that would prohibit tobacco sales near
schools. This relatively high level of support may relate to the strong belief that seeing
tobacco products displayed and advertised in retail stores affects youth smoking.
 Between 2010 and 2012, there was a statistically significant upward trend in the percent of
adults who favor policies that limit the number of licensed tobacco retailers in New York.
 Between 2010 and 2012, there was a statistically significant upward trend in the percent of
adults who favor policies that prohibit pharmacy sales, prohibit tobacco displays, and
prohibit sales near schools in both the United States and New York.
Percentage of adults who support tobacco point of sale policies, 2010-2012
100%
Percentage in Favor
80%
60%
67.9%
57.3%
56.7%
49.5% 48.7%
47.4% 48.5%
45.7% 45.2%
52.9% 51.9%
54.2%
40%
20%
0%
2010
2011
2012
Policy to Prohibit
Pharmacy Sales
2010
2011
2012
Policy to Prohibit
Tobacco Displays
New York
2010
2011
2012
Policy to Cap
Number of Retailers
2010
2011
2012
Policy to Prohibit
Sales Near Schools
United States
Source: New York State Adult Tobacco Survey and National Comparison Adult Tobacco Survey, 2012. Analysis conducted by RTI
International.
Contact the Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research, New York State Department of Health at (518) 473-0673 or type ‘StatShot’
in the subject line of an e-mail and send it to [email protected].