BACKGROUND: This study highlights the importance of restricting the sale of tobacco products exclusively in tobacconists by analyzing current legislation, international experiences, and Brazilian scenarios. The objective is to strengthen the National Tobacco Control Policy, considering that low-income neighborhoods exhibit a higher density of tobacco retailers, leading to health inequities and increased exposure of children and adolescents.
METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology based on the PRISMA Checklist. Data sources included BVS, MEDLINE, SCIELO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The study covered publications from 2005 to 2020, incorporating national and international studies on the density of tobacco retailers and their public health impacts. Data collection occurred in March 2021, with stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria applied.
RESULTS: The study found that areas with higher tobacco retailer density show greater smoking prevalence among youth, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. The review identified that restricting tobacco sales near schools and residential areas could reduce smoking initiation and promote health equity.
CONCLUSIONS: Regulating the sale of tobacco products exclusively in tobacconists in Brazil is an effective measure to reduce consumption and associated inequities. The study recommends implementing a new legal framework to regulate the location and operation of these establishments, significantly contributing to tobacco prevention and control.