Journal
TOBACCO CONTROL
Volume 32, Issue 5, Pages 635-644Publisher
BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057026
Keywords
advertising and promotion; tobacco industry; tobacco industry documents
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The scoping review examines the secretive contracts between tobacco manufacturers and retailers, identifying contract requirements and incentives, and assessing their impact on tobacco product sales and marketing in the retail setting. The review found that contracts are prevalent worldwide, allowing tobacco manufacturers significant control over product availability, placement, pricing, and promotion. These contracts enable tobacco companies to promote their products and undermine tobacco control efforts through discounted prices, promotions, and prominent marketing placement.
Objective The objectives of this scoping review are to examine existing research on the often-secretive contracts between tobacco manufacturers and retailers, to identify contract requirements and incentives, and to assess the impact of contracts on the sales and marketing of tobacco products in the retail setting. Data sources The systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Political Science Database, Business Source Premier, ProQuest Agricultural & Environmental Science Collection, and Global Health through December 2020. Study selection We included studies that collected and analysed empirical data related to tobacco contracts, tobacco manufacturers, and tobacco retailers. Two reviewers independently screened all 2786 studies, excluding 2694 titles and abstracts and 65 full texts resulting in 27 (0.97%) included studies. Data extraction Study characteristics, contract prevalence, contract requirements and incentives, and the influence of contracts on the retail environment were extracted from each study. Data synthesis We created an evidence table and conducted a narrative review of included studies. Conclusions Contracts are prevalent around the world and handsomely incentivise tobacco retailers in exchange for substantial manufacturer control of tobacco product availability, placement, pricing and promotion in the retail setting. Contracts allow tobacco companies to promote their products and undermine tobacco control efforts in the retail setting through discounted prices, promotions and highly visible placement of marketing materials and products. Policy recommendations include banning tobacco manufacturer contracts and retailer incentives along with more transparent reporting of contract incentives given to retailers.
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