State

Effect of the Arizona tobacco control program on cigarette consumption and healthcare expenditures (AZ)
New research demonstrates that Arizona’s comprehensive tobacco control program has been effective in reducing cigarette consumption and healthcare spending. Data on healthcare and tobacco control spending and cigarette consumption and prices were used to analyze the impact of the state’s tobacco control program and to compare the results against a similar study done in California. The Arizona tobacco control program concentrates on youth prevention instead of public policy and countermarketing, while the California program focuses on adults and works to denormalize tobacco use by emphasizing policy change and the use of media. The results indicate that from 1996-2004, Arizona’s program prevented 200 million packs of cigarettes from being smoked and saved $2.33 billion in healthcare spending, ten times what the program cost to implement. While this is a remarkable return on investment, the cost reductions in Arizona were lower than were achieved by the more aggressive California program, which saved fifty times the costs of the program. The study shows that tobacco control efforts containing educational and public awareness messages are effective in reducing cigarette consumption and related healthcare costs. Click here to read the study, published in Social Science & Medicine. Related fact sheet: Comprehensive statewide tobacco prevention programs save money A new fact sheet from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids uses the data from Arizona and other research to explain why it makes economic sense for states to invest in comprehensive statewide tobacco control programs. Click here to download the fact sheet.

Kansas smoke free law improving air quality (KS)
A new study indicates that air quality in Kansas bars and restaurants has dramatically improved since the state enacted the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act in July 2010. Researchers measured fine particulate matter in air samples from 36 bars and restaurants in six communities before and after the law went into effect to assess changes in air pollution levels. The results showed that in locations that allowed indoor smoking before the law, the level of fine particulate matter was at a level designated as “hazardous,” and employees were exposed to 4.4 times the annual safe level of air pollution established by the Environmental Protection Agency. After the law was enacted, levels of fine particulate matter in these establishments dropped 94% to levels comparable with outdoor air and previously smoke-free facilities. Click here to read more, or click here to download the full air quality report. Related: Poll shows a majority of Kansas voters support smoking ban (KS) The results of a recent survey show strong bipartisan support for the statewide smoke-free law. The telephone survey was administered to 500 likely Kansas voters. The results showed that 77% of respondents supported the smoke-free law, 84% believed that secondhand smoke exposure is hazardous, and 59% would be less likely to vote for political candidates that tried to repeal the ban. The results come amid a movement in the state Legislature to repeal the law due to concerns about government intrusion in the economy and negative effects on businesses. Click here for more information.

Decrease in smoking prevalence, Minnesota, 1999–2010 (MN)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a new report describing the decline in smoking prevalence in Minnesota from 1999 to 2010. Surveillance data from the Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) and cigarette sales data were used to examine the effects of tobacco control efforts undertaken by the state since 2001, such as providing quitline services, increasing cigarette excise taxes, and implementing a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law. The data show that the adult cigarette smoking prevalence in Minnesota decreased 27.1%, from 1999 to 2010, compared to a 15% decline in the national cigarette smoking prevalence during this time. Per capita cigarette sales in Minnesota decreased 40% during that time. In addition, more adults reported modifying home rules to restrict smoking in 2010 compared with 1999 (87.2% versus 64.5%) and adults were less likely to report exposure to secondhand smoke (45.5% versus 67.2%). The results indicate that sustained investments in comprehensive state tobacco control programs are needed to further reduce cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Click here to access the article in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Two new studies show smoke free policies benefit employees, patrons and businesses (MO)
A pair of studies funded by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) show that local smoke free policies in Missouri have improved indoor air quality without impacting business at restaurants and bars. In the first study, researchers compared air samples from five bars and restaurants in Kansas City, where there is a comprehensive smoke-free policy, with samples from 17 bars and restaurants in two Missouri communities that do not have smoke-free workplace laws. Air samples from Kansas City had low levels of pollutants, while samples from the communities that permit smoking contained levels of pollutants five to eight times higher than is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The second study assessed the economic impact of the smoke-free policy in Kansas City, Missouri. Monthly taxable sales data from Kansas and Missouri indicated that there was no significant difference in restaurant and bar sales in Kansas City before and after the implementation of the law. Click here for more information, view the full report on air quality in Kansas City, or read the executive summary of the economic impact study.

Smoking bans didn't harm hospitality industry, new study says (WI)
A new study conducted at the University of Wisconsin’s Carbone Cancer Center shows that enacting municipal smoke-free laws in Wisconsin cities did not have a negative economic impact on bars and restaurants. To assess the effects of citywide smoke-free laws on the hospitality industry, researchers examined the number of alcohol licenses issued, number of establishments operating, and number of employees working in cities with and without smoke-free laws before and after the smoke-free laws went into effect. The results indicated that there was no change in the number of alcohol licenses issued when cities passed smoke-free laws, and that there were no significant differences in employment between cities with and without smoke-free laws. These findings suggest that smoke-free laws do not harm the hospitality industry, as is often argued by opponents of such laws. Click here for more information, or download the full report.

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National

National Survey of Healthcare Consumers: Smoking report
Thomson Reuters has released new survey findings on consumer attitudes toward smoking. Researchers collected data from 3,011 participants in December 2010, asking about support for the use of graphic images on cigarette packages, level of influence of antismoking messages, opinion on cigarette taxes, and support of public smoking bans. The results showed that 56% of respondents had never smoked, 26% were former smokers, and 17% were current smokers. Smoking was found to be associated with lower income and education levels, and smokers were more than three times more likely to report that cigarette taxes were too high compared to never-smokers. In general, antismoking measures were supported by the majority of survey respondents, with 54% saying they agree with using graphic images on cigarette packages and 76% saying they agree with the use of public smoking bans. Click here to read the report.

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