A study published online this month in the American Journal of Public Health assessed support among both smokers and non-smokers for current and potential point of sale tobacco control policies under the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA).

Researchers found that support varied by provision:

• 80% supported youth access restrictions
• 45% supported graphic warnings
• 36% supported a ban on  menthol cigarettes
• 26% supported black-and-white advertising
• 23% supported plain packaging.

Support was generally higher among non-smokers than smokers.  However, some provisions (e.g. black and white advertising, which was ruled unconstitutional under the first amendment) may be unfamiliar to the general US population, and other provisions are controversial (e.g. banning menthol cigarettes). To increase public support, the researchers suggest using social norm campaigns that target point of sale policies and promote positive attitudes. They also suggest the need to build on existing support to promote and maintain evidence-based policy changes.

Read the full article here.

Learn more about how public opinion surveys can help determine POS tobacco control strategy.