Point-of-sale tobacco advertising in Beirut, Lebanon following a national advertising ban

• Authors: Ramzi G. Salloum, University of North Carolina; Rima T. Nakkash, American University of Beirut; Allison E. Myers, University of North Carolina; Kathryn Wood, Emory University; Kurt M. Ribisl, University of North Carolina
• Journal Title: BMC Public Health
• Volume: Volume 13, Number 1
• Publisher: BioMed Central | 2013-06-03, Pages 534-534
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-534
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SCI; MARKETING RESTRICTIONS; PROMOTION

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to conduct an audit of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising and assess compliance with an advertising ban in a large district of Beirut, Lebanon. Methods. The audit was conducted 3 months following the ban on tobacco advertising. Trained students observed all tobacco retail outlets (n = 100) and entered data into a web-based form using iPad® technology. Presence of tobacco advertisements was assessed to determine compliance with the national advertising ban. Results: Among the 100 tobacco retail outlets, 62% had tobacco advertisements, including 7% with a tobacco brand logo as part of the main exterior store sign. Conclusions: POS tobacco advertising is widespread in Beirut despite the national advertising ban. These findings point to an urgent need for the enforcement of the advertisement ban with tobacco retail outlets in Lebanon.