Other Policy
Research
The economic impact of state cigarette taxes and smoke-free air policies on convenience stores
New research shows that cigarette taxes and strong smoke-free air policies do not negatively impact convenience stores. Researchers measured the number of store openings and closings in all fifty states and D.C. between 1997 and 2009 to determine convenience store density. The results show that higher cigarette taxes and state-level smoke-free policies are not correlated with lower convenience store density, contrary to what the tobacco industry wants the public to believe. Read the study abstract published in Tobacco Control here.
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Reports
Policy brief: Return on investments in public health
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a report summarizing research studies that show the economic benefits of funding public health programs, including tobacco prevention and cessation services. The report highlights evidence from a variety of recent reports and studies indicating that strategic investments in proven, community-based prevention programs could result in significant U.S. healthcare cost savings and overall economic cost savings. Read the report by clicking here.
Content-neutral advertising laws: Tips and tools available
The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium has released a fact sheet that contains pointers that communities can use when developing content-neutral advertising laws. Content-neutral advertising restricts all advertising without regard to content, thus minimizing the potential to violate commercial free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Content-neutral restrictions can limit advertising by size, location, type, number or findings. The fact sheet outlines benefits and challenges of content-neutral ordinances, and four examples of local legislation are provided. Click here to view the fact sheet.
Fact sheet: Is it legal to ban tobacco sales in pharmacies?
A fact sheet from the Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC) discusses outcomes from three lawsuits filed after San Francisco banned the sale of tobacco in pharmacies in 2008. The fact sheet concludes that it is legal for a city or county to ban tobacco sales in pharmacies, as long the law treats all stores containing pharmacies equally, with no distinction between standalone drugstores and other stores containing pharmacies. Click here for more details.
The smokers' surcharge: Penalizing employees vs. rewarding good habits
According to a recent article in the New York Times, an increasing number of employers are levying healthcare surcharges upon workers who smoke, are overweight, or have high cholesterol. Noting that workers with unhealthy lifestyle habits tend to use a greater share of healthcare resources than their peers, employers have implemented the fees as incentives for wellness; however, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association have warned federal officials that if companies are given too much leeway, such practices could constitute discrimination against unhealthy workers. Read the article by clicking here.
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State Policy
Board that oversees tobacco fund certifies additional $17.3 million in earnings to fight tobacco use (OK)
The board that oversees Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund has certified an extra $17.3 million in earnings to be used next year for health programs, including efforts to reduce tobacco use. The additional funds became available due to an attorney general’s opinion that state law cannot place restrictions on the calculation of earnings. Read more here.
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International
Tobacco plain packaging delayed in Parliament (Australia)
Australia’s plain tobacco packaging law will not come into effect until December 1, 2012 because of a delay in the Senate, which has allegedly been linked to tobacco industry influence. The government had hoped that the law would be implemented in July, but Health Minister Roxon says the tobacco industry will not have proper time to implement the plain packaging by July 2012. Read more here. Related: Philip Morris challenges Australia on plain pack (Australia) Cigarette maker Philip Morris has reacted to the plan to enact plain packaging laws by launching legal action, and tobacco-growing countries have threatened a lawsuit under world trade rules. While legal experts predict that these legal challenges will fail, the proceedings are being watched closely by governments of other countries considering similar plain packaging laws. Read more here.
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