The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3321.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 1

Abstract #64110

Nicotine replacement therapies: Over-the-counter sales in Canada

Murray Kaiserman, PhD, Tobacco Control Programme, Office of Research, Evaluation and Surveillance, 123 Slater St., PL3507C, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada, 613 954 5851, murray_kaiserman@hc-sc.gc.ca and Eva Makomaski Illing, Office of Research, Evaluation and Surveillance, Tobacco Control Programme, Pl 3507B, 123 Slater, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.

In recent years, the number of nicotine replacement therapies introduced into the Canadian marketplace has increased.. In addition, these consumer products were made available as over-the-counter. While aggregate data exist regarding sales of these products, there is little information regarding actual consumer behaviour. In order to determine the feasibility of monitoring smokers' purchasing behaviour of these therapies, the Office of Research, Surveillance and Evaluation, Tobacco Control Programme, surveyed a Panel of almost 11,000 households as to purchasing habits of consumers. Slightly more than 9,000 households responded, which provided 16, 776 individual respondents. In 2001, slightly more than 40% of the panel were smokers. This group spent on average $124.97 annually on nicotine replacement therapies, with an average of $35.89 being spent per shopping occasion. In addition, the results indicate that, in 2002, on average, 3.5 trips per year were made to purchase these products. The results indicate that smokers spent less on these products than on cigarettes, both annually and per trip. These data as well as data relating to demographics and other purchasing behaviour will be presented.

The results indicate that using consumer panels can provide evidence regarding consumer purchasing behaviour of nicotine replacement therapies.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

International Tobacco Poster Session

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA