Ontario Stores To Hide Tobacco Displays
As of today (May 31 08), store owners across Ontario will have to hide their tobacco product displays, or face fines of up to $150,000 under the Smoke -Fr e e Ontario Act. In recent weeks, many businesses such as convenience stores have put up cabinet-like shelves over their “power walls” — the display wall behind the cashier — making cigarettes out of sight from customers.
Enacted on May 31, the legislation prohibits the open display of tobacco products. “The tobacco display ban is about saving lives and reducing heal th-care costs by pre venting young people from starting to smoke and by helping smokers to quit,” said Ontario Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best. Studies show power walls trigger impulse cigarette buys. Removing the advertising can help prevent smokers from relapsing.
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What a great idea this is but given the high number of “Smoke” shops around I wonder if these will be hiding them to? It will be interesting to see if this as any effect on reducing smoking and the impact on the health service longer term…