Other Policy
Research
Effect of the first federally funded U.S. antismoking national media campaign
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Tips From Former Smokers (Tips) national advertising campaign reduced the number of smokers in the U.S. by 100,000 and encouraged 1.6 million smokers to try to quit, according to a recent study in The Lancet. The Tips campaign profiled individuals who live with tobacco-related disease through online, print, radio, and television ads. Researchers surveyed 3,051 smokers and 2,220 nonsmokers before and after the release of the Tips campaign. Results of the study show quit attempts among smokers rose from 31.1% to 34.8% after the campaign, a 12% increase. The data indicate that nonsmokers were more likely to communicate with friends and family about the dangers of smoking, as well as recommend that smokers quit. The researchers propose the Tips campaign was effective at increasing population-level quit attempts and similar campaigns should be expanded globally to reduce the burden of tobacco. The CDC is currently recruiting ex-smokers to participate in the next wave of the Tips campaign. Click here to read a statement from The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids or here for a statement from the American Lung Association. Click here to view the study abstract.
New study provides more evidence for FDA to ban menthol cigarettes
A new study adds to scientific evidence regarding the adverse health effects of menthol cigarettes on public health. The study titled, “Differential trends in cigarette smoking in the USA: Is menthol slowing progress?” analyzed menthol use, national tends in smoking menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, and brand preferences over time using 2004-2010 data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. The researchers found menthol cigarette users were more often younger, female, and non-Caucasian versus smokers of non-mentholated cigarettes. The article concludes that young people are heavy consumers of menthol cigarettes, and reductions in youth smoking may have been weakened by increased sales and marketing of menthol cigarettes. In a statement from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, study findings were linked to a July FDA report finding menthol cigarettes lead to increased smoking among youth, greater addiction, and decreased success in quit attempts. Click here to read the statement from The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids or click here to view the study abstract in Tobacco Control.
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Reports
New and updated resources available on local tobacco retailer licensing ordinances
The American Lung Association in California Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing has released new and updated resources regarding local tobacco retailer licensing ordinances. The available resources help advocates pursue a local tobacco retail ordinance and understand how other communities in the state are passing tobacco retailer licensing ordinances. The new resources and additional tobacco retailer licensing documents are available on the updated ALA in California Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing website. While the resources were created for California communities, they may be of use elsewhere. Click here to view the redesigned website and explore these resources.
Training video: FDA's age and ID requirements for sales of regulated tobacco
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products has released a new training video to further retailer compliance with tobacco product regulation. The video focuses on two requirements that retailers must follow when selling tobacco products, including prohibiting the sale of regulated tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 and checking customer date of birth using a valid photo ID at point of sale for those under 27. The two requirements discussed in the video are part of the FDA’s tobacco compliance and enforcement program which works to ensure that industry and retailers follow existing laws to reduce tobacco use among youth. According to the FDA, more than 80% of established adult smokers begin smoking before age 18, the federal minimum legal age to purchase these products. Click here to read more and view the video.
U.S. state and local laws regulating use of electronic cigarettes
The American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) released an updated list of states and municipalities that have enacted laws regulating where e-cigarette use is prohibited. The report provides a state-by-state breakdown of the following categories: use of e-cigarettes prohibited; 100% smoke-free venues in which use of e-cigarettes prohibited; and use of e-cigarettes specially permitted. The report also provides a breakdown of local laws that restrict e-cigarette use in 100% smoke-free venues. ANRF notes that the use of e-cigarettes in workplaces and public places is a public health concern because of potential confusion regarding smoke-free air laws and unknown health effects of e-cigarette vapor. Click here to learn more about e-cigarettes or click here to view the list.
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State Policy
New tobacco rule in Arizona bans sale of e-cigs to minors (AZ)
In September, two tobacco-related laws went into effect in Arizona regarding e-cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. Senate Bill 1209 adds e-cigarettes and similar products to the list of tobacco and tobacco-related products whose sales are prohibited to minors. Senate Bill 1312 allows civil and criminal penalties for the unlawful use of a roll-your-own tobacco machine. Both pieces of legislation contribute to the Arizona Department of Health’s initiative to decrease tobacco use through the Counter Strike program. The program conducts tobacco inspections regarding the sale of tobacco to minors and has held over 2,000 inspections in 2013. Click here to read more. Click here to view SB 1209 or click here to view SB 1312.
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