WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to bring its latest smoking cessation education campaign into convenience stores.
The FDA announced Dec. 11 that the new campaign will encourage cigarette smokers to quit through messages of support that underscore the health benefits of quitting. These messages, it said, will be displayed "in and around gas stations and convenience stores, retail locations where smokers face a multitude of triggers and that typically feature cigarette advertisements."
The Every Try Counts campaign targets smokers ages 25-54 who have attempted to quit smoking in the past year but were unsuccessful. The two-year campaign launches next month in 35 U.S. markets and features print, digital, radio and out-of-home ads, such as billboards.
"Tobacco companies have long used advertisements at convenience stores and gas stations to promote their products, and we plan to use that same space to embolden smokers to quit instead," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.
Ads will be placed in various locations at the point-of-sale, including at the gas pump, front door and cash register and on shelves, the FDA said. Studies show that in-store displays and other tobacco advertisements can trigger unplanned cigarette purchases, making quitting more difficult. Placing ads in those same locations will help to disrupt the urge to purchase cigarettes and encourage another attempt at quitting instead.
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