Retail stores have long been an important component of tobacco company marketing strategies. Tobacco retailers serve as the tobacco company’s major communication channel to reach present and future customers. The store environment exerts a unique influence to promote tobacco use as a desirable social norm because tobacco is both advertised and sold in these stores.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. (1)

The Surgeon General has concluded that tobacco advertising contributes to youth smoking rates (1); and

Children are more likely to notice and remember tobacco POP advertising than adults; 79% of middle and 77% high school students report "frequently" seeing tobacco advertising at convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores (1), and

75% of teens shop in a convenience store/gas station every week; teens who see tobacco advertising in convenience stores:

• Perceive tobacco products to be easily accessible
• Are more likely to attempt to purchase tobacco
• Express weakened support for tobacco control policies (1)

2/3 of retailers participate in a tobacco company incentive program to display tobacco ads (1), and

The Genesee County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 41% of tobacco retailers in Genesee County displayed outdoor tobacco advertising (2), and

The Genesee County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 95% of tobacco retailers in Genesee County displayed indoor tobacco advertising (2),

The Orleans County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 62% of tobacco retailers in Orleans County displayed outdoor tobacco advertising (2), and

The Orleans County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 85% of tobacco retailers in Orleans County displayed indoor tobacco advertising (2),

The Wyoming County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 71% of tobacco retailers in Wyoming County displayed outdoor tobacco advertising (2), and

The Wyoming County Retailer Survey results of 2006 found that 96% of tobacco retailers in Wyoming County displayed indoor tobacco advertising. (2)

1. Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program, New York State Department of Health
2. King B, Hyland A, Alford T, Lewis C, and Cummings KM. Surveillance of Western New York Tobacco Retailer Practices-Findings from Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. Buffalo, New York. Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 2007.

Because of the deadly effects of tobacco advertising on our youth, it is the policy of: