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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2009 Mar 1;100(2):109–112. doi: 10.1007/BF03405517

Vendor Compliance with Ontario’s Tobacco Point of Sale Legislation

Jolene M Dubray 110,, Robert M Schwartz 110,210, John M Garcia 110,310, Susan J Bondy 110,210, J Charles Victor 110
PMCID: PMC6973984  PMID: 19839285

Abstract

Objective

: On May 31, 2006, Ontario joined a small group of international jurisdictions to implement legislative restrictions on tobacco point of sale promotions. This study compares the presence of point of sale promotions in the retail tobacco environment from three surveys: one prior to and two following implementation of the legislation.

Method

: Approximately 1,575 tobacco vendors were randomly selected for each survey. Each regionally-stratified sample included equal numbers of tobacco vendors categorized into four trade classes: chain convenience, independent convenience and discount, gas stations, and grocery. Data regarding the six restricted point of sale promotions were collected using standardized protocols and inspection forms. Weighted estimates and 95% confidence intervals were produced at the provincial, regional and vendor trade class level using the bootstrap method for estimating variance.

Results

: At baseline, the proportion of tobacco vendors who did not engage in each of the six restricted point of sale promotions ranged from 41% to 88%. Within four months following implementation of the legislation, compliance with each of the six restricted point of sale promotions exceeded 95%. Similar levels of compliance were observed one year later. Grocery stores had the fewest point of sale promotions displayed at baseline. Compliance rates did not differ across vendor trade classes at either follow-up survey. Point of sale promotions did not differ across regions in any of the three surveys.

Conclusion

: Within a short period of time, a high level of compliance with six restricted point of sale promotions was achieved.

Key words: Tobacco, marketing, compliance

Footnotes

Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion. We would like to thank the public health unit enforcement staff who collected the data for this study.

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