TY - JOUR T1 - News analysis JF - Tobacco Control JO - Tob Control SP - 77 LP - 80 VL - 17 IS - 2 A2 - , Y1 - 2008/04/01 UR - http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/17/2/77.abstract N2 - All articles written by David Simpson unless otherwise attributed. Ideas and items for News analysis should be sent to: d.simpson@iath.orgThe prominent display of tobacco products at retail outlets is now the only avenue available for tobacco companies to promote brand imagery and awareness in countries with tobacco advertising bans. Both Canada and Iceland have banned retail displays, as the high visibility of tobacco products both tempts and reminds people to smoke and provokes impulse buying.On the other hand, retail associations and others opposed to a ban claim the display itself has no real effect on people’s buying patterns. However, evidence that it does comes from a case that has recently been before the Competitions Commission Tribunal in South Africa.Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) are locked in a legal battle amid accusations that Batsa spent "hundreds of millions" of Rands in clandestine deals with retail outlets to ensure that they either exclusively stocked or prominently displayed Batsa’s brands, while hiding JTI’s brands below the counter or behind frosted glass. Batsa has 93% of the South African market, JTI 4.7% and Phillip Morris about 1%.Initially, when the case began, Batsa claimed that these were the actions of aggressive sales reps eager to make extra commission. JTI countered that Batsa had ignored its many complaints and that this was a planned national strategy and not just sales mavericks or rogue forces.In later evidence to the Tribunal, Batsa revealed how it used supermarkets, cafes, vehicle filling station stores, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, to crush the opposition. Batsa’s national key account manager, CP Terblanche, admitted that Batsa blocked competitors from displaying cigarette dispensers at certain outlets and gave businesses millions in cash “inducements” each year to preferentially market its brands.JTI claimed in … ER -