Iceland was the first country in the world to implement a point of sale display ban.
General
There are approximately 600 retailers selling cigarettes in Iceland. Smoking prevalence in Iceland was estimated at 19.3% of the population and in 2008 the total cigarette market was estimated to be 369 million units. The average weighted retail sales price in August 2009 was 820 ISK (approx. $6.50) of which approximately 60% is tax. Read more
Legislation
Iceland was the first country in the world to implement a point of sale display ban in 2001. Read more
Media
"In Iceland since the tobacco display ban came into force 30% of small shops have closed. Telegraph.co.uk, 7 May 2009. Read more
A recent study using statistical techniques conducted by LECG, a leading global finance and economic consultancy, shows that the point of sale display ban in Iceland has had no effect on reducing smoking prevalence.
This study was carried out at the request of Philip Morris International Inc. by Dr. Jorge Padilla of LECG Consulting Belgium, S.A.-N.V. Using multiple regression techniques, the study concludes that "..the data does not support the claim that a display ban is likely to cause a reduction in smoking prevalence. To the extent that there is a relationship, it is very small and the evidence shows it may be purely due to random chance. My statistical analysis therefore confirms the conclusions suggested by a simple inspection [that] there is no evidence that the display ban in Iceland caused a reduction in smoking prevalence..."