KING COUNTY, WA - A recent survey by Public Health - Seattle & King County of Kent tobacco retailers found that the great majority of stores have tobacco advertising indoors and at the point of purchase, an indication that few stores are voluntarily restricting tobacco advertisements.

"Big tobacco companies have targeted children for years," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Some stores are voluntarily restricting advertisements, but too many stores have ads that potentially influence both children and adults."

The survey of 77 stores in Kent found that 90% of stores had tobacco advertising indoors and at the point of purchase. In addition, stores with tobacco advertisements had an average of 20 interior tobacco advertisements. Some stores had as many as 60 interior advertisements.

The two Bartell Drug stores in Kent, however, had no tobacco ads at all, inside or outside.

"I commend the store owners that voluntarily choose to limit their tobacco advertising. Stores like these are helping to keep kids away from the deadly effects of tobacco, and they should be applauded for their efforts," said King County Board of Health Chairman Greg Nickels.

Accessible displays

The survey also found that about one in four stores in Kent sells tobacco from self-service displays, and another one in four has tobacco easily accessible and near kid-friendly candy displays.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the tobacco industry spent $8.24 billion on advertising and promotions in 1999. This represents a 22% increase only one year after tobacco companies reached a national settlement with numerous states, including Washington.

One of the largest increases in spending by the tobacco industry has been in promotions and payments to retailers for shelf space, which increased from $2.88 billion in 1998 to $3.54 billion in 1999, according to the FTC report.

Studies show that point-of-purchase advertising and promotion directly influence what products and brands kids buy and use. In addition, these advertisements have an impact on the number of kids who buy cigarettes.

For more information on tobacco prevention and control, please visit Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program at www.metrokc.gov/health/tobacco.