Banning supermarkets from selling cigarettes resulted in 23,000 fewer smokers: study

Due to the ban on selling tobacco in supermarkets, mini-supermarkets, and night shops as of 1 July 2024, the number of smokers decreased by an estimated 23,000 by the end of that year, according to SEO Economic Research. That amounts to a decrease of approximately 1 percent of the total number of smokers in the Netherlands.

Accoridng ot the study, the number of sales points within 250 meters of homes has been halved due to the ban. Residents of vulnerable neighborhoods benefited most from this. According to the researchers, 47 percent of the adults who quit smoking after the ban live in these areas. The ban, therefore, contributes to reducing socioeconomic health disparities, SEO Economic Research said.

Proximity to sales points is decisive, the researchers found. When there is no longer a sales point within 250 meters of home, the likelihood of someone smoking decreases by 6 percent. A further increase in distance yields no additional effect. The effect is likely due primarily to people who already wanted to quit actually taking that step.

Due to the ban, the number of tobacco sales outlets decreased by 60 percent. As a result, people have to travel on average 1.5 times further to buy tobacco products.

SEO Economic Research also said that the measure may prevent new smokers from starting, although that effect will only become visible in the longer term. Currently, approximately 18 percent of the Dutch population smokes.

The societal gain of fewer smokers is substantial. Primarily due to a longer lifespan and better quality of life for ex-smokers, the benefits amount to €180 million to €370 million per year, according to the study. A large portion of these benefits ends up in vulnerable neighborhoods.

The supermarket ban is bearing fruit, said Carla van Gils, director of the KWF Cancer Foundation, on behalf of the Smoke-Free Generation initiative. Van Gils wants to continue the reduction in sales outlets. “Because although sales outlets in supermarkets are banned, there is significant growth in tobacco specialty shops outside supermarkets.”