Consumer opinions on tobacco sales in pharmacies and grocery stores

Audience:   Tobacco control policy advocates and regulators will most likely benefit from this poster. Key Points: Growing evidence links easy access to tobacco retail outlets such as pharmacies to increased tobacco use. As pharmacy-based tobacco sales continue to grow rapidly, this telephone-based survey was the first to employ a nationally representative sample of consumers (n=3097) to explore their opinions on sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and grocery stores. Majority reported that sale of tobacco products should be ‘allowed’ or ‘allowed if products hidden from view’ (76% vs. 68.7; t=5.06, p<0.01). Significantly more smokers, compared to non-smokers, reported agreement on allowing tobacco sales (Grocery stores: 72.9% vs. 40.3%,X²=195.7,p<0.001; Pharmacy: 67.2% vs. 38%; X²=59.1; p<0.001). However, significantly more non-smokers reported they ‘would prefer to get medications from pharmacies that did not sell tobacco’. Opinions also varied significantly by demographic characteristics and factors such as presence of a kid in the household and urban/rural location of residence. The results of this national survey suggest that consumers hold more permissive attitudes toward the sale of tobacco products in grocery stores and pharmacies than previously indicated. Educational Experience: The poster will provide background on the current regulatory environment and factors that might influence a ban on sale of tobacco in pharmacies and grocery stores. This will be followed by the survey methodology and implications of the research results. Benefits: The audience will learn about American consumers’ opinions on the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and grocery stores, particularly those of smokers.