Retailers’ tobacco sales, profit margins, and promotional activities in slum areas of Bhubaneswar, India

We conducted a cross-sectional study during January–June 2017 involving 70 tobacco retailers from 11 slums to learn about the tobacco retailers’ practices of tobacco sales, their profit margins from these sales, and their promotional activities in slum areas of Bhubaneswar, India. Slum retailers were gaining a profit margin of ≥ 10% in selling 68% of cigarette brands and in all brands of bidi (smoked tobacco) and smokeless tobacco. Almost 50% of retailers were directly or indirectly advertising tobacco, and in 90% of retail shops, tobacco products were displayed in such a way that they could be seen from outside the shop. Nearly 25% of retailers were providing discounts; 33% were giving a gift or prize or free sample or coupon to customers on purchase of a tobacco product. Understanding retailers’ concerns about tobacco sales, promotion, and strict enforcement of Indian “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act” regulations is critical for tobacco control in slums.