Other Policy
Research
Understanding the emergence of the tobacco industry's use of the term tobacco harm reduction in order to inform public health policy – Tobacco Control. A review of the history of the term “harm reduction” found that the 2001 Institute of Medicine report on tobacco harm reduction appears to have been pivotal in shaping industry discourse, with documents suggesting British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International adopted the term shortly thereafter and started emphasizing it heavily in corporate messaging. The researchers stress that adoption of the term should be seen as opportunistic tactical adaptation to policy change rather than a genuine commitment to harm reduction.
How does the tobacco industry attempt to influence marketing regulations? A systematic review – PLOS ONE. A review of articles from 1990 to 2013 documenting tobacco industry influences worldwide concluded that tobacco industry political activity is far more diverse than suggested by existing taxonomies of corporate political activity, but that tactics and arguments are repeated across jurisdictions. Click here to read more.
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Reports
CVS Caremark, No. 2 drugstore chain, will end all tobacco sales – Los Angeles Times. CVS Caremark, the nation’s second-largest retail drugstore chain, plans to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by October 1, a landmark decision that would make it the first national pharmacy company to cease tobacco sales. The move comes after years of pressure from public health advocates and medical providers, who have urged retailers to make tobacco products and advertising less visible. Click here to read a press release from the American Heart Association.
Public health organizations urge drug stores and other retailers to stop selling tobacco products – Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Twenty-six of the nation’s leading public health and medical organizations have issued an open letter calling on drug stores and other retailers to follow the example of CVS Caremark and end the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Related: Following CVS announcement, eight Senators urge drugstores to remove tobacco products from stores – United States Senate. Senate Health Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) led eight senators in writing letters to Walgreens, Rite Aid, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to urge these other chain drugstores to follow CVS’ example, remove tobacco products from their shelves, and promote tobacco cessation efforts in stores. Click here to read a letter written to Walmart.
Ten-year study by international research team shows need for U.S. to strengthen efforts to reduce tobacco use – International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project. The ITC Project launched a new report into the effectiveness and impacts of tobacco control legislation in the United States. Notable findings include that nearly 9 in 10 American smokers regret ever starting to smoke, and that half of current smokers believe the government should do more to tackle the harm caused by smoking.
A prescription for health: Tobacco free pharmacy resources – ChangeLab Solutions. Pharmacies are where people go for medicine and health care advice, but most pharmacies in this country also sell cigarettes. This factsheet, along with an accompanying model ordinance outline the health concerns associated with allowing tobacco sales at pharmacies and show what local policymakers can do in their communities.
New resources: Restricting sales of flavored tobacco products – ChangeLab Solutions. This model ordinance to restrict sales of flavored tobacco products contains definitions that explain which products cannot be sold and sets forth several enforcement options, and the accompanying factsheet explains what can be done in your community to limit access to flavored products. Developed for California cities and counties, these materials may be of use in other states and communities.
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State Policy
Age to buy cigarettes could soon change in Colorado (CO) – CBS Denver. Lawmakers in Colorado are debating raising the minimum age for buying cigarettes. The bill is currently being considered by the House, and it has a Democratic and Republican sponsor in each chamber. The legislation would make it illegal for anyone under age 21 to buy not only cigarettes, but also e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
Ohio Gov. Kasich proposes to fight tobacco addiction (OH) – Associated Press. In his fourth State of the State speech, Ohio governor John Kasich announced he is dedicating new tobacco settlement dollars to tobacco control efforts, noting Ohio was once a national leader in reducing the number of people who smoke and needs to take the cause up again.
Analysis: 4,700 fewer smokers in Utah if legal age is raised to 21 (UT) – The Salt Lake Tribune. Senator Stuart Reid seeks to raise the smoking age in Utah from 19 to 21 in his bill, SB12. However, analysts also figure it will cost the state $2.67 million a year in lost tax revenue. Under legislative rules, appropriations committees would need to cover that loss by cutting spending or finding more revenue elsewhere before the bill could receive final approval. Click here to read more about the “Tobacco 21” bills in Utah and Colorado.
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International
Report: Countries should speed adoption of laws to control tobacco epidemic and prevent 1 million deaths per year – Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization (WHO). Despite progress in the countries of the Americas, the tobacco epidemic will continue to grow unless the implementation of national tobacco control laws is accelerated, warns a new report. Applying at least six legislative measures, including raising tobacco taxes and graphic health warnings on packaging, could help prevent 1 million deaths annually. To read the report, click here.
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