Other Policy
Research
Awareness and impact of New York City's graphic point-of-sale tobacco health warning signs
A policy requiring the display of graphic health warnings at the point-of-sale could be successful in increasing awareness about the health risks of smoking and influence quitting smoking in the U.S. A novel study examined the impact of New York City’s policy that required retailers to post graphic health warnings by surveying 1,007 adult smokers and recent quitters on the street before and after the policy was implemented. According to the results, awareness of the warning signs doubled after the policy was implemented, and awareness of the signs was associated with increasing the respondent’s thoughts about quitting smoking by 11%. Studies that analyze the implementation of policies in the retail environment are important in providing data that support effective policy changes in state legislature. To read the study abstract published in Tobacco Control, click here.
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Reports
National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) releases new state-specific tobacco control funding fact sheets
NALBOH has created state-specific fact sheets that focus on states that received a failing grade on the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report on tobacco prevention and control programs and policies. New fact sheets on four states - Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio – are available to assist board of health members in these states with understanding and advocating for adequate tobacco prevention and control funding levels. Click here to access the fact sheets.
Tobacco money in California politics (CA)
A new report released by The Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing, a project of the American Lung Association in California, titled “Tobacco Money in California Politics” contains detailed information regarding tobacco industry supporters’ spending on lobbying and campaign contributions in California for the 2011-2012 election cycle. According to this report, tobacco supporters spent $1.1 million on lobbying, and gave $300,000 in campaign contributions to 37 members of congress. Tobacco giant Phillip Morris gave more than $2.6 million to Californians Against Out-of-Control-Taxes and Spending, a committee that opposed Proposition 29, which would have increased the state’s cigarette tax by $1. Click here for the full report.
Policy update: Countering tobacco retailer licensing opposition (CA)
The Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing has compiled new documents that contain information about the tobacco control opposition groups the Neighborhood Market Association (NMA) and the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO). These organizations have been active in opposing tobacco retail licensing ordinances in local California communities. Click here to access the information document about NMA and click here for the NATO information document.
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State Policy
Funds cut for N.C. anti-tobacco efforts (NC)
The North Carolina legislature has eliminated state funding for tobacco prevention, despite the demonstrated successes of the state’s tobacco prevention program, including record low tobacco use rates among youth and the adoption of state and local smoke-free air policies. Only $2.7 million in federal funds are being allocated for tobacco prevention programs in the coming year, which is less than 1% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended annual funding level for North Carolina. Click here to read more.
New York legislature approves ban on e-cigarettes for minors (NY)
The New York State legislature has approved a ban on selling e-cigarettes to minors (individuals under eighteen years old). Currently, e-cigarettes can be sold with limited regulation in malls and other locations. If this legislation is signed into law, New York will be the fifth state to restrict e-cigarette sales to minors, joining Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, and Maryland. Click here to read more. Click here to track bill A0944B, which has been passed in the Senate.
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