Smoker sensitivity to retail tobacco displays and quitting: a cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether sensitivity to point of sale (POS) cigarette displays influences quitting behaviour.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
A total of 222 adult smokers were surveyed at baseline in 2006 and followed-up 18 months later.


METHODS
Baseline sensitivity to POS displays, which included the frequency of 'noticing displays', 'impulse purchasing behaviour' and 'deciding on brand based on POS displays'; smoking status at follow-up.


RESULTS
At follow-up, 17.0% were no longer smokers. After adjusting for covariates, compared to those with low POS display sensitivity, smokers who had a medium or high level of sensitivity to POS displays were significantly less likely to have quit at follow-up [odds ratio (OR) = 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14-0.74; OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.08-0.91, respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of cigarette pack displays in stores may make it more difficult for smokers to quit smoking successfully.
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, The Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia.
Daniella
D
Germain
Molly
M
McCarthy
Melanie
M
Wakefield
D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003132:Commerce; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019460:Tobacco Industry; D014739:Victoria