May 2021 News and Research Roundup

Welcome to CounterTobacco.org’s “News and Research Roundup!” Each month we post a summary of the latest research, reports, and news stories on counteracting tobacco product sales and marketing at the point of sale (POS). Keeping up with what’s happening in the POS movement all across the country can help you choose policies and strategies that work best for your community. New research can help provide support for your work and evidence for the importance of the “War in the Store.” Have a story you don’t want us to miss? E-mail it to us!

New Research

Commercial Tobacco Retailing in Tribal Jurisdictions: A Field Study, American Journal of Health Behavior
- This study compared commercial tobacco retailing practices on and near Tribal jurisdictions in Arizona, California, and Oklahoma from 2015 – 2017. Researchers found that, “There was substantial variation across tribes, with sales in AZ and most CA Tribal jurisdictions handled at convenience stores, whereas OK Tribal retailing was done mostly in specialized tobacco-specialty shops. Electronic cigarettes were ubiquitous across Tribal and non-Tribal outlets. Advertising and breadth of cigarette offerings was most extensive in the tobacco specialty retailers of Tribal OK. Surprisingly, Tribally manufactured cigarettes were found only at some CA Tribal retailers.” In addition, researchers note that, “Some Tribal commercial tobacco outlets actually price above their non- Tribal competitors…”
- Learn more about Native Americans and Point-of-Sale Commercial Tobacco
Tobacco 21 Policies in the U.S.: The Importance of Local Control With Federal Policy, American Journal of Preventive Medicine
- A review of local Tobacco 21 policies passed before July 1, 2019 found that while many included some model policy components, such as a comprehensive tobacco definition, a tobacco retailer license, and penalties for retailer violations, many also lack model enforcement components such as a mandatory number of inspections or compliance checks per year and a minimum age for the underage purchasers used during compliance checks. Local enforcement of Tobacco 21 policies can ensure that every retailer is visited regularly and help fill in the federal enforcement gaps. Learn more about Tobacco 21 best practices.
Beyond Strong Enforcement: Understanding the Factors Related to Retailer Compliance with Tobacco 21, Nicotine & Tobacco Research
- This study conducted in Columbus, OH examined factors related to retailer compliance with a Tobacco 21 age of sale policy. Retailers located in high poverty neighborhoods were less likely to check IDs. Cashiers’ awareness and perceptions about Tobacco 21 policies were not related to the retailer’s compliance. However, retailers that had scanners for ID checks were more likely to comply with the law. The researchers also note that without equitable enforcement across neighborhoods, Tobacco 21 policies have the potential to widen disparities in tobacco use.
Ad watch: White Owl launches sweepstakes to promote new dessert-flavoured cigar, Tobacco Control