Study on Smoke-Free Environments and Advertising of Tobacco and Related Products

This study examined two important aspects of tobacco control: on the one hand, advertising, promotion and sponsorship and on the other, smoke-free environments. In relation to the former, most Member States have successfully implemented, introduced and monitored rules, and compliance has been high. However, new products and forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship have created implementation and monitoring challenges. Gender, education, current use of tobacco and related products, and age were associated with noticing advertisements and promotions. Current use of tobacco or related products and country seemed to influence the appeal of advertisements and interest in trying products. Young people were seen as the target of many advertisements, although current use of products was more of a predictor of appeal than age. Concluding lessons and recommendations concern gaps in the current regulatory framework, implementation / application challenges, as well as compliance challenges. In relation to smoke-free aspects, this study further documents positive social, economic, and environmental impacts of smoke-free environments, showing that most countries have implemented the Council Recommendation (2009 Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments 2009/C 296/02). Compliance with national rules, as well as monitoring and enforcement has been high, and, since 2013, countries have increased protection for children and adolescents. However, there have been several challenges, including differences in the ease of enforcement depending on the environment type: exposure to tobacco smoke, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products seemed to be most common in certain outdoor environments. Most countries have multi-sectoral tobacco control policy programmes since 2013, with almost all having comprehensive guidelines, media campaigns to promote smoking cessation and telephone quit lines. Finally, concluding lessons and recommendations concern identified gaps in the current regulatory framework, implementation and application challenges, compliance challenges, and enforcement issues.