The display and advertising of roll-your-own tobacco at points-of-sale in Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru

Abstract

Introduction: While roll-your-own tobacco consumption is highest in Europe, increased sales are reported in Latin America. We are unaware of any research that explores the display and advertising of roll-your-own tobacco in this region.

Methods: An observational study was conducted at tobacco-selling points-of-sale (N=2,081) near schools in cities in Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru between April and July 2023. In each of the 16 cities (four per country) schools were randomly selected and stratified according to neighbourhood socioeconomic status, with all points-of-sale located in pre-established routes around schools observed. A codebook was used to assess the display of roll-your-own tobacco and accessories (i.e. rolling papers and filters) and the presence of advertising for these products. Logistic regressions were employed to estimate the association between the display of roll-your-own tobacco and accessories (defined as being visible at the point-of-sale) and type of point-of-sale, neighbourhood socioeconomic status, and city.

Results: Apart from a single store in Guatemala, roll-your-own tobacco and accessories were only observed in Argentina, at 110 (21.5%) points-of-sale. In Argentina, roll-your-own tobacco and accessories were more likely to be displayed in convenience and neighbourhood stores compared to kiosks, in high and middle socioeconomic neighbourhoods compared to low socioeconomic neighbourhoods, and in Cordoba and Santa Rosa than in Quilmes and San Salvador de Jujuy. Advertising for RYO tobacco (1.8%) and accessories (3.1%) at POS was uncommon.

Conclusion: This study provides insight into roll-your-own tobacco penetration in multiple Latin American countries, finding that the display of this product is largely restricted to Argentina.

Implications: Increasing sales of roll-your-own tobacco have been reported in Latin America. Despite this, there is limited academic research on the consumption of roll-your-own tobacco in this region and no research on its presence at the point-of-sale. This study provides insight into roll-your-own tobacco and accessories penetration in Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru, finding that display of this product at points-of-sale is generally limited to Argentina. Continued monitoring of the display and marketing of this product is needed across these countries. Research in Argentina exploring how roll-your-own tobacco and accessories are perceived by smokers and young people would be of value.