title: A systematic review on the impact of point-of-sale tobacco promotion on smoking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The tobacco retail environment is a crucial marketing medium for the industry. A 2009 review found evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility, though limitations in the evidence base were identified.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We reviewed and critically appraised recent evidence documenting the influence of POS tobacco promotion, and POS tobacco display bans, on smoking-related behavior and cognitions. We reviewed original quantitative and qualitative research that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and smoking prevalence, individual-level smoking and quitting and tobacco purchasing behavior, smoking susceptibility, and smoking-related cognitions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty peer-reviewed studies (18 quantitative and 2 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria; each study reported findings consistent with a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking or smoking susceptibility. Several studies met key criteria for causality: 4 indicated a dose-response association, 2 prospective studies were identified, and evidence from intervention studies supported the reversibility of the association. Findings were consistent across different study designs, settings, and measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existing evidence supports a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking. This review provides evidence to support the continuation of POS tobacco display bans in those jurisdictions where such legislation has been introduced and strengthens the evidence encouraging similar policies in jurisdictions without a POS display ban.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; l.robertson@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand;
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.affiliation: Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand;
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Marketing, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D012931:Social Environment; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000191:economics*