For In-store buyers, how are the e-cigs displayed?

[paleocon12111971]

This sounds like a loaded question, but bear with me. How are e-cigarettes displayed in your convenience store/gas station/wherever else you purchase e-cigs? Do you have to ask the cashier to retrieve them for you because they are in a plastic case? Are they located near the cash register where you can still reach them? Are they located somewhere other than the cash register such as in the aisles? Are they located next to analog cigarettes or are they physically separated from tobacco products?

In most places that I've gone, they've been next to the cash register in a plastic case. Occasionally, I can reach and retrieve them on my own, but I've never seen them anywhere but near the cash register.

I ask this question because the further e-cigs are placed in relation to tobacco products, the less likely they are going to be associated with smoking analogs.

 

[JusticeKnuckles]

But they are supposed to be associated with tobacco products. If they are located next to cigarettes and such a smoker may catch their eye on an ecig and perhaps purchase one or inquire about it. As it is a nicotine based substance that requires you to be 18+ to purchase, I think it's a good idea they are behind the cash register where more people will see them regularly

 

[GreekLion]

Look for the word Blu and there they will be, separate from the cigarettes. Its getting harder and harder not to find a store that doesnt sell them.

 

[paleocon12111971]

But they are supposed to be associated with tobacco products. If they are located next to cigarettes and such a smoker may catch their eye on an ecig and perhaps purchase one or inquire about it. As it is a nicotine based substance that requires you to be 18+ to purchase, I think it's a good idea they are behind the cash register where more people will see them regularly

I see what you're saying. We don't want it associated with tobacco products because of the stigma behind smoking, but we want smokers looking for their analogs to notice the e-cigs nearby and switch to vaping. The thing with e-cigs is that they tend to blend in pretty well. They are still relatively unknown to many people. I've heard of some vapers on here pretending that their disposable was a pen, so that they'd be able to stealth vape during office meetings.

Also, minors (under 18) can still purchase e-cigs legally in about 44 states. New York state is one of the 6 that has banned the sale to minors. 3 counties in Washington state have also banned the sale to minors. Regardless, I know of many stores that have a policy prohibiting the sale of e-cigs to minors. If the stores want to ban minors from buying them, that's fine. However, I don't want the government involved in ANY e-cigarette regulation. Everyone doesn't mind when it's the localities and states regulating, but that leads to congressional and eventually FDA regulations as well, which are much more draconian.

 

[Prism]

Almost all ecigs that I have seen in stores are behind the counter. The reason being besides being associated with cigarettes is that they are an item that would easily be stolen.

 

[tj99959]

ANY adult product must be displayed out of the reach of children ... end of story.

 

[Kopfstimmen]

Here in Germany, it could go either way. In gas stations, they're with the cigs, but in one store, they're with the health product area, along with canes and blood pressure monitors. (Yes, they're the cheap cigalikes here, too.)

 

[glasseye]

Here, at the gas station/convenience store up on the corner, there is a rack of them at the head of an aisle opposite the cash register. No brands I've heard of. Disposables are actually pretty hard to find here. Walmart, CVS, grocery stores, most smoke shops and tobacco shacks...no. Not for sale.
I went looking one day wanting to try one for some odd reason I can't remember. The price was insane so I didn't buy any. Cigarettes are still relatively cheap here compared to some parts of the country so I can't see a lot of people converting to those.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

For what it's worth... I noticed in WalMart last week, that they are now carrying Fin brand ecigs. That's a change from what they used to carry. Was it Enjoy? The price is up as well. A single unit costs $9.99. I was thinking the previous had been $7.99.

The Fins are located in the 'tobacco check out lane.' They are nearly 6 feet high on a shelf and where they can be reached by customers in line. That's the same location are the previous brand.

 

[JusticeKnuckles]

It's tough because I live in NY so you're looking at anywhere between $8.00 - $11.00 a pack (depending on brand and location) so if an ecig is going to be relatively comparable in price, people are going to want longevity and expectation in the product. I HATE the "equivalent to X packs of cigarettes" but unfortunately, to a smoker who knows little to nothing about ecigs that is the information they will want so they have SOME sort of comparison to make.

 

[RVLT]

The gas station near where I work has them above the cigarette display behind the counter, I asked the guy to see one of the brands I hadn't seen before and he could barely reach it. Probably about 10 feet or so. The Blu is off to the side on the counter but still out of reach to the customer and in a glass case yet still very easy to miss.

I think they should make use of the counter mats that I see in some places so people know they atleast have them.