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Hoek J, Lee E, Teddy L, Fenton E, Ball J, Edwards R. How do New Zealand youth perceive the smoke-free generation policy? A qualitative analysis. Tob Control 2024; 33:346-352. [PMID: 36283832 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) plans to introduce a smoke-free generation (SFG) policy, alongside denicotinisation and reducing the availability of tobacco products. The SFG has a clear rationale, yet we know little about how young people, those the policy targets, perceive it. To inform policy design, communication and implementation, we explored how NZ youth perceived the SFG. METHODS We undertook in-depth interviews with a sample of 20 youth aged 17 or 18 and explored their knowledge of the SFG, and how they perceived its individual and societal implications. We interpreted the data using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS We identified two overarching themes. The first theme, 'societal good and protection from harm', reflected benefits participants associated with the SFG, which outweighed perceptions of lost freedoms. The second theme, 'privileging personal choice', corresponded to two small groups within the sample. The first preferred measures they considered less restrictive, such as increasing the purchase age, and some came to support the SFG as they rationalised their views. The second subgroup expressed more entrenched opposition and felt the SFG deprived them of a choice. CONCLUSIONS Young people's deep reflection on the SFG led most to view it as liberating rather than restrictive. Communications that avoid prompting heuristic-based responses could encourage youth to reflect on the policy and elicit strong support from the group the SFG aims to benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Hoek
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Ell Lee
- University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Lani Teddy
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth Fenton
- Bioethics Centre, University of Otago Bioethics Centre, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jude Ball
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Richard Edwards
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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Hirano T. Japan Tobacco corporate social responsibility activities misleadingly claim to advance Sustainable Development Goals. Tob Control 2024; 33:417-418. [PMID: 36167827 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyasu Hirano
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
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Glantz S, Lempert LK. Vuse Solo e-cigarettes do not provide net benefits to public health: a scientific analysis of FDA's marketing authorisation. Tob Control 2024; 33:e108-e115. [PMID: 36764683 PMCID: PMC10409877 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
In October 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised marketing of RJ Reynolds Vapor Company's (RJR) Vuse Solo e-cigarette through FDA's Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) pathway. FDA concluded that RJR demonstrated Vuse products met the statutory standard of providing a net benefit to public health. A review of FDA's scientific justification reveals deficiencies: (1) not adequately considering Vuse's popularity with youth and evidence that e-cigarettes expanded the nicotine market and stimulate cigarette smoking; (2) trading youth addiction for unproven adult benefit without quantifying these risks and benefits; (3) not considering design factors that appeal to youth; (4) not addressing evidence that e-cigarettes used as consumer products do not help smokers quit and promote relapse in former smokers; (5) not discussing evidence that dual use is more dangerous than smoking; (6) narrowly focusing on the fact that e-cigarettes deliver lower levels of some toxicants without addressing direct evidence on adverse health effects; (7) downplaying significant evidence of other substantial harms; (8) not acting on FDA's own study showing no all-cause mortality benefit of reducing (but not stopping) cigarette use; and (9) improperly considering e-cigarettes' high abuse liability and potential for high youth addiction and undermining tobacco cessation. Because marketing these products is not appropriate for the protection of the public health, FDA should reconsider its Vuse marketing order as statutorily required and not use it as a template for other e-cigarette PMTAs. Policymakers outside the USA should anticipate that tobacco companies will use FDA's decision to try to weaken tobacco control regulation of e-cigarettes and promote their products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren Kass Lempert
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Smith EA, McDaniel PA, Malone RE. Should tobacco sales be restricted to state-run alcohol outlets? Perspectives from 10 US alcohol control states. Addiction 2024. [PMID: 38454636 DOI: 10.1111/add.16467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The ubiquity of tobacco retailers helps to sustain the tobacco epidemic. A tobacco retail reduction approach that has not been tried is transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS), which are limited in number and operate under some restrictions, e.g. regarding opening hours or marketing materials. This study summarizes policy experts' and advocates' views of TTS, including (1) advantages and disadvantages; (2) feasibility; and (3) potential implementation obstacles. DESIGN This study was a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews. SETTING Ten US states with alcoholic beverage control systems were included. PARTICIPANTS The participants comprised a total of 103 tobacco control advocates and professionals, public health officials, alcohol policy experts and alcohol control system representatives, including two tribal community representatives. MEASUREMENTS Interviewees' perspectives on their state's alcoholic beverage control agency (ABC, the agency that oversees or operates a state alcohol monopoly) and on TTS were assessed. FINDINGS Interviewees thought TTS offered potential advantages, including reduced access to tobacco products, less exposure to tobacco advertising and a greater likelihood of successful smoking cessation. Some saw potential long-term health benefits for communities of color, due to the smaller number of state alcohol stores in those communities. Interviewees also raised concerns regarding TTS, including ABCs' limited focus on public health and emphasis on revenue generation, which could conflict with tobacco use reduction efforts. Some interviewees thought TTS could enhance the power of the tobacco and alcohol industries, increase calls for alcohol system privatization or create difficulties for those in recovery. CONCLUSIONS In the United States, transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS) could have a positive public health impact by reducing tobacco availability, marketing exposure and, ultimately, tobacco use. However, tensions exist between alcohol control system goals of providing revenue to the state and protecting public health. Should a state decide to pursue TTS, several guardrails should be established, including building into the legislation an explicit goal of reducing tobacco consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Smith
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patricia A McDaniel
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruth E Malone
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Duan Z, Henriksen L, Vallone D, Rath JM, Evans WD, Romm KF, Wysota C, Berg CJ. Nicotine pouch marketing strategies in the USA: an analysis of Zyn, On! and Velo. Tob Control 2024; 33:154-163. [PMID: 35817549 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity, yet their marketing is understudied. METHODS Using Numerator advertising data from January 2019 to September 2021 regarding three popular brands of nicotine pouch in the USA-Zyn (by Swedish Match, introduced in the USA in July 2016), On! (Altria, August 2016) and Velo (RJ Reynolds, July 2019)-we examined (1) general advertising characteristics (eg, media type, year); (2) ad content (ie, headlines and imagery themes); (3) prominent media channels (ie, specific websites, magazines, etc); and (4) ad expenditures. RESULTS There were 286 unique ads (Zyn: 44.4%; On!: 2.8%; Velo: 52.8%), 119 143 occurrences (Zyn: 3.5%; On!: 0.5%; Velo: 96.0%) and $24 774 650 total expenditures (Zyn: 4.7%; On!: 0.6%; Velo: 94.7%). The greatest proportion of ad occurrences and expenditures were accounted for by radio (75.9% and 28.2%, respectively) and television (16.2% and 56.5%), followed by mobile (0.5% and 7.2%) and online display (6.7% and 3.6%). Across ad occurrences and expenditures, prominent headline themes included 'freedom' (26.0% and 17.1%, respectively), 'brand' (9.6% and 18.6%) and 'flavour' (16.4% and 7.6%); images mainly featured the product alone (61.4% and 56.1%), text (16.2% and 24.6%) or men (8.7% and 8.6%); and prominent channel themes were entertainment (34.7% and 37.3%), news/weather (14.3% and 21.7%), business/finance (12.9% and 9.0%) and sports (9.5% and 1.0%). Zyn and On! prioritised online display and print; Velo prioritised radio and television. Zyn's and Velo's headlines focused on 'freedom', with Zyn also emphasising 'brand' and Velo 'innovation'; On!'s headlines emphasised 'flavour'. CONCLUSIONS Regulatory efforts must be informed by surveillance of nicotine pouch marketing and impacts on consumer subgroups (eg, young people).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongshuan Duan
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Lisa Henriksen
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Donna Vallone
- Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jessica M Rath
- Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - W Douglas Evans
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Global Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Katelyn F Romm
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Christina Wysota
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Global Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Matthes BK, Fabbri A, Dance S, Laurence L, Silver K, Gilmore AB. Seeking to be seen as legitimate members of the scientific community? An analysis of British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International's involvement in scientific events. Tob Control 2024:tc-2022-057809. [PMID: 36737249 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For decades, tobacco companies manipulated and misused science. They funded and disseminated favourable research and suppressed research that showed the harms of their products, deliberately generating misinformation. While previous work has examined many of the practices involved, their engagement in scientific events has so far not been systematically studied. Here, we examine the involvement of British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI) in scientific events, including conferences, symposia and workshops. METHODS Our analysis involved two steps. First, we collected all available data PMI and BAT provided on their websites to identify events. Second, we extracted information about the nature of tobacco industry involvement from event websites and materials. RESULTS We identified 213 scientific events that BAT and/or PMI representatives attended between April 2012 and September 2021. Most events took place in high-income countries in Europe and North America. They covered a diverse range of fields, including toxicology (n=60, 28.1%), medicine (n=25, 11.7%), biology (n=24, 11.3%), chemistry (n=23, 10.8%) and aerosol science (n=18, 8.5%), as well as dentistry (n=9, 4.2%), pharmaceutical science (n=8, 3.8%) and computing (n=8, 3.8%). We identified 356 posters provided by BAT and PMI that linked to 118 events (55.4%) as well as 77 presentations from 65 events (30.5%). Industry involvement through sponsorship (nine events), exhibition (three events) or organising committee (one event) was rare. CONCLUSION BAT and PMI representatives attended a large number and wide range of scientific events. Given that scientific events could be a crucial platform for building connections in the scientific sphere and disseminating industry's messages, this work highlights the importance of denormalising the tobacco industry's involvement in scientific events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Fabbri
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Sarah Dance
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | - Karin Silver
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Watts C, Burton S, Lizama N, Chapman L, Garlin F, Daley M, Egger S. Tobacco sales through vending machines: Insights from owners and managers of Australian alcohol-licenced premises with different licencing schemes. Aust N Z J Public Health 2024:100126. [PMID: 38453540 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tobacco sales in alcohol-licenced premises present a very problematic trigger for tobacco sales-a trigger that is particularly problematic for attempting quitters and people who smoke occasionally. This study reports on the attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of owners or managers of alcohol-licenced venues that sell tobacco exclusively through vending machines. METHODS The study involved a telephone survey of alcohol-licenced venue owners or managers in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Associations between outlet characteristics and current selling of tobacco exclusively via vending machines were examined, and responses to the open-ended question asking why the venue was likely or unlikely to stop selling cigarettes were manually coded. RESULTS For most alcohol-licenced venues that sold tobacco exclusively through a vending machine, the profit from these sales was not considered important for the business. However, only a small minority (4%) of these venues reported that they were likely to stop selling tobacco. The most commonly cited concerns about stopping were customer dissatisfaction and potential loss of customers. CONCLUSION The study provides the first evidence on the attitudes of owners/managers to the importance of tobacco sales, revealing that the vast majority of those owners/managers do not believe that tobacco sales are important for their venue. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH The presence of tobacco vending machines implicitly promotes tobacco products and therefore contravenes Australia's obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The results provide powerful evidence that restrictions on tobacco sales can be implemented without major financial damage to those vendors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Watts
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW Australia.
| | - Suzan Burton
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW Australia
| | | | | | - Francine Garlin
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW Australia
| | | | - Sam Egger
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW Australia
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Borkowski F, Fibbi E. How can tracking and tracing systems give us a look at the dark side of the tobacco market? Tob Control 2024:tc-2023-058212. [PMID: 38262732 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to present possible applications of the systems of tobacco traceability for guiding local enforcement against illicit trade. METHODS The proposed three-step strategy relies on a robust regression technique and Local Moran's I, a local indicator of spatial association, and aims at identifying retail outlets with significantly low sales compared to normal market conditions, which can indicate illegal sales activities. The ability of the method to produce alerts pointing to areas subject to illicit trade is tested on synthetic data in terms of precision and accuracy in different scenarios. Other metrics are also provided. RESULTS Our approach performs well under different metrics and across various levels of illicit trade prevalence, achieving a precision of 94% under the main scenario and method parametrisation. CONCLUSIONS The proposed strategy provides high-quality leads for investigations into geographical areas disproportionately susceptible to illicit trade, potentially unveiling any form of illegal sales, including those involving products that have never entered the legal supply chain. Therefore, it can be a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal sales activities. The findings of this study support also the argument in favour of expanding tobacco traceability systems downstream to the full length of the supply chain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edoardo Fibbi
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
- Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kunji Koya R, Branston JR, Gallagher AWA, Bui WKT, Ross H, Mohamed Nor N. Improving estimates of the illicit cigarette trade through collaboration: lessons from two studies of Malaysia. Tob Control 2024:tc-2023-058333. [PMID: 38233111 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
This paper critically analyses contrasting estimates of Malaysia's illicit cigarette trade in 2011, 2015 and 2019 by Bui et al and Koya et al who previously produced independent estimates at about the same time using tax gap analysis. Collaboration between the two authors' teams emerged due to the discrepancies in their results, generating this paper to explore the methodological issues identified and hence produce revised estimates of the rate of illicit. Key issues identified were: Bui et al's assessment of legally imported cigarettes impacting all years; their exclusion of ad valorem duty affecting the 2011 and 2015 estimates; Koya et al overlooked the value of cigarettes for export market in their ad valorem calculation and used the sales value of imported tobacco/tobacco products, not just cigarettes, both of which impact estimates for 2011 and 2015. Recalculations using Koya et al's consumption data reveal that in 2019, illicit cigarettes accounted for about 70% of the market, which is higher than Bui et al's estimate (38%) but slightly lower than Koya et al's (72%). For 2011 and 2015 where ad valorem applied, the corrected estimates show a share of the illicit cigarette market of approximately 41.1% and 52.7%, respectively, differing from Bui et al's 0% in 2011 and 29.6% in 2015, and Koya et al's 51% in 2011 and 55% in 2015. This paper provides essential lessons for addressing methodological issues between authors' teams and updated estimates of Malaysia's illicit cigarette trade, verifying that Malaysia faces a substantial illicit cigarette trade problem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hana Ross
- University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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Topart F, Béguinot E, Gallopel-Morvan K. Analyzing arguments on tobacco tax increases. Focus on French parliamentary questions and responses, 2000-2020. Tob Induc Dis 2024; 22:TID-22-04. [PMID: 38196511 PMCID: PMC10774864 DOI: 10.18332/tid/175618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tax increases are the most effective but still the least-used tobacco control measure. The tobacco industry (TI) employs lobbying strategies to oppose the implementation of tax policies on its products. Over the past two decades, French tobacco tax policies have been characterized by a relative inconsistency. This research aims to understand why, by analyzing the arguments of French policymakers (MPs and government) between 2000 and 2020 in favor or against tax increases. METHODS To capture parliamentary debates, we performed an advanced term search on the French National Assembly website, using the keyword 'tobacco'. The search returned 5126 available documents out of which 1106 (12.6%, 645 questions, 461 responses) covered price and taxation and were included. They were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis (NVivo) and were compared, when relevant, to arguments raised in the international literature on TI lobbying against taxation increases. RESULTS We found 3176 arguments on tobacco taxation: 77.2% were against tobacco tax increases and 22.7% were in favor of tax policies. Arguments varied depending on the source: 92.4% of MPs' arguments were against tax increases, while 52.1% of arguments from government responses were in favor. The anti-tax arguments were similar to those identified in the international literature that singled out negative economic and social consequences (illicit trade, penalizing tobacconists). Other arguments that were more specific to the French context, highlighted the key economic and social role played by tobacconists in France. Pro-tax arguments highlighted the health, economic and social benefits of tax policies. CONCLUSIONS This is the first French tobacco research on parliamentary documents, although Parliament is a place of direct TI lobbying. It will enable public health actors to better understand the arguments used by the TI in order to counter them in front of MPs, and to better monitor debates in Parliament.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Topart
- Comité National Contre le Tabagisme (CNCT), Paris, France
- University Rennes, EHESP, CNRS, Inserm, Arènes - UMR 6051, RSMS - U 1309, Rennes, France
| | | | - Karine Gallopel-Morvan
- University Rennes, EHESP, CNRS, Inserm, Arènes - UMR 6051, RSMS - U 1309, Rennes, France
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Pegus C, Willett J. Racketeering Conviction Pulls Back Curtain on Tobacco Industry's US Retail Marketing Strategy. Circulation 2023; 148:2067-2068. [PMID: 38109346 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.067435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
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Strongin RM, Sharma E, Erythropel HC, El-Hellani A, Kassem NOF, Mikheev VB, Noël A, Peyton DH, Springer ML. Emerging ENDS products and challenges in tobacco control toxicity research. Tob Control 2023; 33:110-115. [PMID: 35715171 PMCID: PMC9758272 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2022-057268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) continue to rapidly evolve. Current products pose unique challenges and opportunities for researchers and regulators. This commentary aims to highlight research gaps, particularly in toxicity research, and provide guidance on priority research questions for the tobacco regulatory community. Disposable flavoured ENDS have become the most popular device class among youth and may contain higher nicotine levels than JUUL devices. They also exhibit enhanced harmful and potentially harmful constituents production, contain elevated levels of synthetic coolants and pose environmental concerns. Synthetic nicotine and flavour capsules are innovations that have recently enabled the circumvention of Food and Drug Administration oversight. Coil-less ENDS offer the promise of delivering fewer toxicants due to the absence of heating coils, but initial studies show that these products exhibit similar toxicological profiles compared with JUULs. Each of these topic areas requires further research to understand and mitigate their impact on human health, especially their risks to young users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Sharma
- Behavioral Health and Health Policy, Westat, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanno C Erythropel
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ahmad El-Hellani
- Center for Tobacco Research and the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nada O F Kassem
- Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Vladimir B Mikheev
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexandra Noël
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - David H Peyton
- Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Matthew L Springer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Nguenha N, Bialous S, Matavel J, Lencucha R. Tobacco industry presence and practices in Mozambique: a 'chaotic' but worthy market. Tob Control 2023; 33:86-92. [PMID: 35768213 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mozambique has experienced a series of tobacco industry consolidations both in tobacco leaf buying and processing, and in cigarette manufacturing and marketing. The growth of the tobacco industry presence in Mozambique was followed by an increase in tobacco industry's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. This is the first paper to describe the history of tobacco industry activities in Mozambique, a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). METHODS We reviewed industry documents and associated web-based information. Industry documents (1990-2021) were identified through University of California San Francisco's Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library. We followed with a search of web-based sources pertaining to the tobacco industry in Mozambique. We complemented our analysis with select media sources to identify statements by government officials in relation to the tobacco industry. We mapped major tobacco industry players, industry partnerships and corresponding CSR activities. RESULTS Tobacco production increased substantially in Mozambique in the 1990s when tobacco companies began targeting African countries. The increased attention to tobacco production, trade and sales in Mozambique was coupled with greater industry involvement in CSR activities. We identified 10 tobacco industry CSR programmes in Mozambique. Most of the CSR programmes focus on health including HIV/AIDS, social issues and environmental issues. CONCLUSIONS Similar to other tobacco-growing countries, the industry facilitated an increase in tobacco production and continues efforts to increase the tobacco consumption market while engaging in CSR activities focused on social and environmental issues. As in other countries, CSR initiatives in Mozambique enhance industry's reputation. Importantly, these CSR programmes and partnerships breach national laws and the provisions of the FCTC. The continuation of these programmes suggests limited attention within government to protect public policy from industry interference in compliance with Article 5.3 of the FCTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Nguenha
- Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stella Bialous
- Center for Tobacco Control, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joaquim Matavel
- Mental Health Department, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Raphael Lencucha
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Sheikh ZD, Branston JR, Llorente BA, Maldonado N, Gilmore AB. Tobacco industry pricing strategies for single cigarettes and multistick packs after excise tax increases in Colombia. Tob Control 2023; 33:59-66. [PMID: 35641118 PMCID: PMC10803973 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2022-057333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Taxes on tobacco products are an efficient way of reducing consumption. However, they are only effective if passed on to consumers with higher prices. This study aims to examine tobacco industry (TI) pricing strategies in response to tax increases, and whether they differ by price segments or presentation (packs or individual sticks) in Colombia. This is the first such academic study in Latin America and the first anywhere to include the market for single sticks. METHODS Using data on cigarette pricing/taxation from a survey of smokers (2016-2017) and official government data on pricing (2007-2019), the TI's pricing strategies were examined, split by brand, price segments, different sized packs and single cigarettes. RESULTS The TI employed targeted pricing strategies in Colombia: differentially shifting taxes; and launching new brands/brand variants. The industry overshifted taxes when increases were smaller and predictable, but used undershifting more when there was a larger increase in 2017, after which it mostly overshifted on budget and premium (but undershifted mid-priced) brands. The prices for single sticks increased more than the tax increase in 2017 when their consumption also increased. CONCLUSION The pricing strategies identified suggest excise taxes can be increased further, particularly the specific component, to reduce the price gap between brand segments. Brands should be restricted to a single variant along with prohibitions on launching new brands/brand variants. Lastly, since the pricing of single sticks does not match the pattern of packs, more monitoring of their sales and distribution is required, especially since they promote consumption and hinder effective implementation of tobacco tax policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaineb Danish Sheikh
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - J Robert Branston
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- School of Management, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | - Norman Maldonado
- PROESA - Research Center on Health Economics and Social Protection, Department of Economics, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Anna B Gilmore
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Abstract
The vaping industry has been found to employ similar tactics to tobacco industry actors to seek credibility and distort the scientific evidence base around the health harms of nicotine vaping products. As vaping industry interests undermine vaping control efforts, safeguards are necessary to protect against this influence. We aimed to examine health organizations' policies on vaping industry participation in their activities in Australia. A descriptive approach integrating policy analysis and key informant surveys was used to obtain vaping industry participation information from health research stakeholders. Descriptive statistics on organization type, policy document type, policy document industry focus (tobacco or vaping) and respondent role and responsibility were collected. We used framework analysis to identify themes describing organizational allowances, constraints, and rationale for vaping industry research participation. Relevant health organizations were identified within Australia for policy searching (n = 156), which identified 47 unique policy documents. After contacting 267 key stakeholders from eligible organizations, 31 survey responses were analysed. Research organizations and universities were highly represented in both the policy and survey data. Most health research stakeholders recognized that vaping industry interests counteract public health priorities and opposed vaping industry participation. However, many organizations lacked clear, vaping industry-specific participation policies. To protect the integrity of the emerging evidence base around vaping harms which inform vaping policy, health organizations require strong, comprehensive policies to resist vaping industry participation in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Haklar
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Stephens
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Bowden
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Joshua Trigg
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Kaurna (Bedford Park), South Australia 5042, Australia
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16
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Sy DK. Tobacco industry accountability for marine pollution: country and global estimates. Tob Control 2023:tc-2022-057795. [PMID: 38050153 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial cigarette filters are single-use plastics and the main component of cigarette butts, the most common trash item collected worldwide. Governments bear the economic burden of managing the waste and the environmental pollution due to discarded filters and packages. Using available data sources, we estimate the economic burden of plastic tobacco waste on country economic groups. METHODS We reviewed available public data sources that could inform estimates of the economic environmental burden of butt waste for countries. We estimated total weight of plastic cigarette filters and packaging based on cigarette consumption and applied World Bank waste management cost estimates per ton to this total. We then applied estimates of ecosystem losses per ton of plastic waste provided by the World Wildlife Fund to establish losses attributable to tobacco's plastics. RESULTS We estimate that US$25.7 billion is lost annually (waste management and marine ecosystem service losses) due to cigarette plastic sources. We estimate US$186 billion in such losses over a 10-year period, adjusted for inflation. Countries are making progress in developing plastics policies, particularly banning single-use ones, but the costs of tobacco's plastic pollution are overlooked. CONCLUSION Efforts to reduce plastic pollution should address cigarette filters as toxic, widespread and preventable sources of marine pollution. Countries may develop specific estimates of waste management and ecosystem costs in order to assign tobacco industry accountability for this pollution. These results indicate minimum estimates for a majority of countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K Sy
- Global Public Policy & Strategy, Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), Bangkok, Thailand
- Global Public Policy, HealthJustice, Manila, Philippines
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17
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Andrews M, Cooper N, Mattan BD, Carreras-Tartak J, Paul AM, Strasser AA, Henriksen L, Falk EB. Causal effects of point-of-sale cigarette promotions and subjective social status on cigarette craving: a randomised within-person experiment. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058069. [PMID: 37949653 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable deaths in the USA, in part because the USA has not adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. One way the tobacco industry counteracts tobacco control policies is by heavily advertising cigarettes at the point of sale in retailers (eg, at the cash register) and by offering discounts on cigarettes. DESIGN A within-subject experimental design with adults who smoke cigarettes daily (n=281) investigated whether: (1) exposure to images of cigarette promotions in an online experiment is associated with greater cigarette craving relative to viewing images of non-smoking cues, and (2) if exposure to images of point-of-sale cigarette promotions with a discount (vs without) increases cigarette craving. The study also examined how participants' subjective social status (compared with others in the USA) relates to cigarette craving after exposure to images of cigarette promotions with and without a discount. RESULTS In an online experiment, exposure to images of smoking cues, including point-of-sale cigarette promotions, elicited greater craving relative to non-smoking cues (all p<0.001). In addition, images of promotions with a discount elicited higher levels of craving compared with those without a discount (b=0.09, p=0.001). Although participants with a higher (vs lower) subjective social status craved cigarettes less overall (b=-0.12, p=0.012), there was no difference in their craving between images of promotions with and without a discount, while craving was higher for images of promotions with a discount than without for participants with higher subjective social status (b=0.06, p=0.021). CONCLUSION Viewing images of point-of-sale cigarette promotions can causally increase cravings to smoke, which may also apply to real-world retail settings that display cigarette promotions. Restricting point-of-sale promotions generally, and discounts specifically, could help reduce cigarette smoking and address tobacco use disparities in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Andrews
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicole Cooper
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bradley D Mattan
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - José Carreras-Tartak
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexandra M Paul
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew A Strasser
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lisa Henriksen
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Emily B Falk
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Wharton Marketing Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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18
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Leas EC, Mejorado T, Harati R, Ellis S, Satybaldiyeva N, Morales N, Poliak A. E-commerce licensing loopholes: a case study of online shopping for tobacco products following a statewide sales restriction on flavoured tobacco in California. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058269. [PMID: 37935483 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Retailer licensing programmes can be an effective method of enforcing tobacco control laws, but most programmes do not require e-commerce retailers to obtain licenses. California's implementation of a statewide flavour restriction (Senate Bill 793 (SB-793)) in December 2022 enforced through its tobacco retailer licensing programme presented an opportunity to assess whether the exclusion of e-commerce in the definition of 'tobacco retailer' might have resulted in a shift in consumer behaviour towards e-commerce. METHODS To examine the association between SB-793 implementation and online shopping for tobacco, we collected weekly Google search rates related to online shopping for cigarettes and vaping products in California from January 2018 to May 2023. We compared observed rates of shopping queries after SB-793 implementation to counterfactual expected rates and prediction intervals (PI) calculated from autoregressive iterative moving average models fit to historical trends. Content analysis was performed on the search results to identify websites marketing flavoured vaping products and menthol cigarettes. RESULTS The week SB-793 was implemented, shopping queries were 194.4% (95% PI 100.8% to 451.5%) and 161.7% (95% PI 81.7% to 367.5%) higher than expected for cigarettes and vapes, respectively. Cigarette shopping queries remained elevated significantly for 11 weeks and vape shopping queries for 6 weeks. All search results contained links to websites that offered flavoured vaping products or menthol cigarettes to Californian consumers. DISCUSSION These findings raise concerns about potential loopholes in policy enforcement created by the absence of explicit regulations on e-commerce sales in retailer licensing programmes. Strengthening regulations to include e-commerce and monitoring e-commerce compliance are recommended to enhance the impact of laws enforced through retailer licensing programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Leas
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tomas Mejorado
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Raquel Harati
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Shannon Ellis
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nora Satybaldiyeva
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nicolas Morales
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Adam Poliak
- Department of Computer Science, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA
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19
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Koval R, Dorrler N, Schillo B. Tobacco industry advertising: efforts to shift public perception of big tobacco with paid media in the USA. Tob Control 2023; 32:801-802. [PMID: 35577402 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Koval
- Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Barbara Schillo
- Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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20
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Grilo G, Cohen JE, Reynales-Shigematsu LM, Welding K, Flores Escartin MG, Madar A, Clegg Smith K. Cultural appropriation on Marlboro packs in Mexico: ofrenda symbolism a cruel irony. Tob Control 2023; 32:806-808. [PMID: 35217595 PMCID: PMC10646926 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Graziele Grilo
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joanna E Cohen
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luz Myriam Reynales-Shigematsu
- Departamento de Prevención y Control de Tabaquismo, Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Kevin Welding
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria Guadalupe Flores Escartin
- Departamento de Prevención y Control de Tabaquismo, Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alena Madar
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Clegg Smith
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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21
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Matheny J, Tegen A, Berkman M, Gray N, Verhagen B, Sree V. Combatting tobacco industry lobbyists in public health. Tob Induc Dis 2023; 21:137. [PMID: 37869613 PMCID: PMC10588373 DOI: 10.18332/tid/172140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James Matheny
- Health Promotion Research Center, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Annie Tegen
- Independent researcher, Washington, United States
| | - Meredith Berkman
- Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, New York City, United States
| | - Nichelle Gray
- Action on Smoking and Health, Washington, United States
| | | | - Vela Sree
- Action on Smoking and Health, Washington, United States
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22
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Stubbs T, White VM, Kong M, Toumbourou JW. Uncovering the advertising and promotional strategies of tobacco companies in Cambodia: recall of below-the-line marketing among young male smokers. Tob Control 2023; 32:614-619. [PMID: 35177539 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tobacco companies have used below-the-line marketing in novel ways to promote their brands to youth in low/middle-income countries in Southeast Asia. This study explores how young male smokers in Cambodia experience below-the-line marketing strategies. METHODS Convenience sampling was used to recruit 147 young male smokers (18-24 years) in Cambodia in early 2020. Local research assistants conducted mixed-methods interviews with participants in Khmer or English. Participants recalled exposure to below-the-line marketing strategies and provided in-depth descriptions about their experiences with individual sales promotions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS 54% of participants recalled exposure to at least one below-the-line marketing strategy, including point-of-sale promotions (32.7%), individual sales promotions (27.9%) and online advertising (14.3%). Participants described individual sales promotions in public settings, and recalled that promoters were mostly female, attractive and targeted young males. Tactics used to encourage young people to accept promotional offers included free cigarettes and sample packets, swapping current cigarettes for new brands and collecting consumer details after interviewing. The brands and product features of cigarettes being promoted were readily described by participants. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that illegal below-the-line marketing is still occurring in Cambodia, and increased monitoring and enforcement of advertising restrictions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stubbs
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victoria M White
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mom Kong
- Cambodian Movement for Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - John W Toumbourou
- Centre for Drug use, Addictive and Anti-social behaviour Research, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
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23
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Reimold AE, Lee JGL, Ribisl KM. Tobacco company agreements with tobacco retailers for price discounts and prime placement of products and advertising: a scoping review. Tob Control 2023; 32:635-644. [PMID: 35074932 PMCID: PMC9359804 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objectives of this scoping review are to examine existing research on the often-secretive contracts between tobacco manufacturers and retailers, to identify contract requirements and incentives, and to assess the impact of contracts on the sales and marketing of tobacco products in the retail setting. DATA SOURCES The systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Political Science Database, Business Source Premier, ProQuest Agricultural & Environmental Science Collection, and Global Health through December 2020. STUDY SELECTION We included studies that collected and analysed empirical data related to tobacco contracts, tobacco manufacturers, and tobacco retailers. Two reviewers independently screened all 2786 studies, excluding 2694 titles and abstracts and 65 full texts resulting in 27 (0.97%) included studies. DATA EXTRACTION Study characteristics, contract prevalence, contract requirements and incentives, and the influence of contracts on the retail environment were extracted from each study. DATA SYNTHESIS We created an evidence table and conducted a narrative review of included studies. CONCLUSIONS Contracts are prevalent around the world and handsomely incentivise tobacco retailers in exchange for substantial manufacturer control of tobacco product availability, placement, pricing and promotion in the retail setting. Contracts allow tobacco companies to promote their products and undermine tobacco control efforts in the retail setting through discounted prices, promotions and highly visible placement of marketing materials and products. Policy recommendations include banning tobacco manufacturer contracts and retailer incentives along with more transparent reporting of contract incentives given to retailers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria E Reimold
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joseph G L Lee
- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Kurt M Ribisl
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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24
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Poirier MJ, Lin G, Watson LK, Hoffman SJ. Classifying European cigarette consumption trajectories from 1970 to 2015. Tob Control 2023; 32:559-566. [PMID: 34996862 PMCID: PMC10447409 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically code and classify longitudinal cigarette consumption trajectories in European countries since 1970. DESIGN Blinded duplicate qualitative coding of periods of year-over-year relative increase, plateau, and decrease of national per capita cigarette consumption and categorisation of historical cigarette consumption trajectories based on longitudinal patterns emerging from the data. SETTING 41 countries or former countries in the European region for which data are available between 1970 and 2015. RESULTS Regional trends in longitudinal consumption patterns identify stable or decreasing consumption throughout Northern, Western and Southern European countries, while Eastern and Southeastern European countries experienced much greater instability. The 11 emergent classes of historical cigarette consumption trajectories were also regionally clustered, including a distinctive inverted U or sine wave pattern repeatedly emerging from former Soviet and Southeastern European countries. CONCLUSIONS The open-access data produced by this study can be used to conduct comparative international evaluations of tobacco control policies by separating impacts likely attributable to gradual long-term trends from those more likely attributable to acute short-term events. The complex, regionally clustered historical trajectories of cigarette consumption in Europe suggest that the enduring normative frame of a gently sloping downward curve in cigarette consumption can offer a false sense of security among policymakers and can distract from plausible causal mechanisms among researchers. These multilevel and multisectoral causal mechanisms point to the need for a greater understanding of the political economy of regional and global determinants of cigarette consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Jp Poirier
- Global Strategy Lab, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gigi Lin
- Global Strategy Lab, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah K Watson
- Global Strategy Lab, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven J Hoffman
- Global Strategy Lab, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact and McMaster Health Forum, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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25
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Taravira NA, Laurence L, Filippidis FT. Beware big tobacco bearing gifts: tobacco industry corporate social responsibility activities in Greece. Tob Control 2023; 32:675-676. [PMID: 35078912 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nefeli A Taravira
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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26
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Gratale SK, Ganz O, Wackowski OA, Lewis MJ. Naturally leading: a content analysis of terms, themes and word associations in Natural American Spirit advertising, 2000-2020. Tob Control 2023; 32:583-588. [PMID: 35022329 PMCID: PMC9273802 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural American Spirit (NAS) is a cigarette brand distinguished by supposed 'natural', 'additive-free' characteristics, marketing of which is tied to misperceptions of reduced harm. In 2017, NAS's manufacturer agreed (with the Food and Drug Administration) to remove 'natural'/'additive-free' from US marketing. Prior research has explored NAS marketing immediately post-agreement. This study sought to identify prominent post-agreement terms and themes and analyse how they had been used in pre-agreement ads. METHODS We conducted a content analysis of NAS ads from 2000 to 2020 (N=176), documenting prominent pre-agreement and post-agreement terms/themes and examining how they are used in NAS ads. We coded for descriptors, themes, imagery and promotions, and extended prior research by analysing how leading post-agreement terms were used in conjunction and thematically associated with 'additive-free' and 'natural' before the agreement. RESULTS Results indicated 'tobacco and water' and 'Real. Simple. Different.' increased post-agreement, as did environmental imagery. 'Organic' was prominent pre-agreement and post-agreement. The descriptors used most often in post-agreement ads almost always appeared in conjunction with (and were thematically linked to) 'natural' and 'additive-free' in pre-agreement ads. CONCLUSIONS In the years since the agreement, NAS ads have heavily relied on still-allowable descriptors that may invite reduced risk misperceptions. Notably, these descriptors were consistently used alongside the banned terminology before the agreement and presented as if affiliated conceptually, possibly prompting similar connotations. Findings indicate a continuing need for research into NAS advertising effects and a potential role for additional regulatory action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie K Gratale
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ollie Ganz
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Olivia A Wackowski
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - M Jane Lewis
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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27
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Levy DT, Liber AC, Cadham C, Sanchez-Romero LM, Hyland A, Cummings M, Douglas C, Meza R, Henriksen L. Follow the money: a closer look at US tobacco industry marketing expenditures. Tob Control 2023; 32:575-582. [PMID: 35074930 PMCID: PMC9346571 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While much of the concern with tobacco industry marketing has focused on direct media advertising, a less explored form of marketing strategy is to discount prices. Price discounting is important because it keeps the purchase price low and can undermine the impact of tax increases. METHODS We examine annual US marketing expenditures from 1975 to 2019 by the largest cigarette and smokeless tobacco companies as reported to the Federal Trade Commission. We consider three categories: direct advertising, promotional allowances and price discounting. In addition to considering trends in these expenditures, we examine how price discounting expenditures relate to changes in product prices and excise taxes. RESULTS US direct advertising expenditures for cigarettes fell from 80% of total industry marketing expenditures in 1975 to less than 3% in 2019, while falling from 39% in 1985 to 6% in 2019 for smokeless tobacco. Price discounting expenditures for cigarettes became prominent after the Master Settlement Agreement and related tax increases in 2002. By 2019, 87% of cigarette marketing expenditures were for price discounts and 7% for promotional allowances. Smokeless marketing expenditures were similar: 72% for price promotions and 13% for promotional allowances. Price discounting increased with prices and taxes until reaching their currently high levels. CONCLUSIONS Between 1975 and 2019, direct advertising dramatically fell while price discounting and promotional expenditures increased. Local, state and federal policies are needed that apply non-tax mechanisms to increase tobacco prices and restrict industry contracts to offset industry marketing strategies. Further study is needed to better understand industry decisions about marketing expenditures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Levy
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alex C Liber
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher Cadham
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Andrew Hyland
- Health Behavior, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Michael Cummings
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Cliff Douglas
- Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rafael Meza
- Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lisa Henriksen
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Donaldson SI, Beard T, Dormanesh A, Pérez C, Escobedo P, Unger JB, Wipfli HL, Galimov A, Allem JP. Monitoring website marketing among leading e-cigarette brands and vendors in California: content analysis. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058000. [PMID: 37643863 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) brands and vendors use websites to promote pro-tobacco messages that may increase susceptibility to use e-cigarettes among never users or help sustain continued e-cigarette use among current users. E-cigarette website marketing is lightly regulated, and little is known about promotional strategies used on e-cigarette companies' websites. This study conducted a content analysis of website marketing from leading e-cigarette companies selling products in California. METHODS This study identified 20 e-cigarette vendors and 6 e-cigarette brands that had products available for purchase online in California. Two coders visited 26 websites between 06 February 2022 and 17 April 2022. Websites were coded for marketing themes, promotional and interactive content, availability of flavoured e-cigarette products, presence of health warnings, and reference to tobacco control policies. RESULTS Marketing themes related to physical health benefits of e-cigarette use were found on 50.0% of the websites. 57.7% of the websites had sales/discounts/coupons. 65.4% of the websites had fruit-flavoured disposable e-cigarettes, while 73.1% of the websites had fruit-flavoured e-liquids available for purchase. 69.2% of the websites allowed users to sign up for email newsletters, and 88.9% of such websites did not require users to create an age-verified account to receive email newsletters. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study can be used to inform statewide regulations of promotional communications found on e-cigarette companies' websites and encourage enforcement of age-verification procedures. This may help reduce susceptibility to use, or continued use of, e-cigarette products among price-sensitive populations, such as adolescents and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott I Donaldson
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Trista Beard
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Allison Dormanesh
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cindy Pérez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Patricia Escobedo
- Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, California, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Heather Lynn Wipfli
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Artur Galimov
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jon-Patrick Allem
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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29
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He Y, Ma S, Yang Q, Shang C. How cigarette excise tax pass-through to prices responds to the uptake and evolution of e-cigarettes (ECs). Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058078. [PMID: 37640531 PMCID: PMC10915895 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND How excise taxes are passed through to prices determines whether tax policies will be effective in changing smoking behaviours. Though previous literature has documented that cigarette taxes are overly shifted to prices, there is limited evidence on how cigarette tax pass-through to prices is affected by the uptake and evolution of e-cigarettes (ECs) in the US market. OBJECTIVE This study investigates how cigarette excise tax pass-through rate varied by price levels (the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile prices) and the uptake and evolution of ECs. METHODS Tax pass-through rates were assessed using ordinary least squares regressions while controlling for state, year and month fixed effects. Different trends were then tested for the pre-EC uptake era (2006-2011), EC uptake era (2012-2016) and the evolution of nicotine salt-based ECs era (2017 and later). FINDINGS Cigarette excise taxes were fully shifted to the 25th and 50th percentile prices and overly shifted to the 75th percentile prices at a 1:1.1 rate. While cigarette excise taxes had a continuous impact on raising prices, the tax pass-through rates were lower for lower priced cigarettes, and states imposed lower taxes. CONCLUSIONS Continuing to raise cigarette taxes may be needed to create financial incentives to encourage people who smoke to switch to ECs. In addition, continuing to raise cigarette taxes and additional pricing policies such as price promotion restrictions are needed to increase retail prices and reduce price minimisation opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun He
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Shaoying Ma
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ce Shang
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Division, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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30
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Kostygina G, Tran H, Czaplicki L, Perks SN, Vallone D, Emery SL, Hair EC. Developing a theoretical marketing framework to analyse JUUL and compatible e-cigarette product promotion on Instagram. Tob Control 2023; 32:e192-e197. [PMID: 35190395 PMCID: PMC9942712 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND E-cigarette promotion on social media coincided with the rapid growth of e-cigarette use among American youth, particularly with the increased JUUL pod vaporiser use. We examined commercial JUUL-related messages on Instagram to identify marketing appeals used to target users along the continuum of e-cigarette use; we mapped the appeals to existing theoretical marketing frameworks to better understand industry strategies. METHODS Hashtag-based keyword rules were used to collect JUUL-related posts from the Instagram application programming interface, 1 March-13 November 2018. Posts were classified as commercial or non-commercial. A combination of machine learning methods, keyword algorithms and human coding were used to characterise message themes in commercial posts. RESULTS Keyword filters captured 50 817 relevant posts and 41% were commercial. Among commercial posts, 91% contained recruitment/trial-based appeals (eg, combustible tobacco cessation; product sampling; giveaways) and 71% featured reinforcement/addiction-related appeals (eg, loyalty programmes). None of the commercial messages contained e-cigarette cessation-related appeals and less than 25% mentioned quitting combustible tobacco as a recruitment appeal. CONCLUSIONS Instagram posts featuring e-cigarette related marketing can increase exposure to persuasive messages encouraging e-cigarette trial and use particularly among susceptible youth. Stronger regulations are needed to prevent exposure to social media marketing among young social media users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganna Kostygina
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hy Tran
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lauren Czaplicki
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Donna Vallone
- Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, DC, USA
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sherry L Emery
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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31
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Braznell S, Branston JR, Gilmore AB. Corporate communication of the relative health risks of IQOS through a webchat service. Tob Control 2023; 32:e205-e211. [PMID: 35241501 PMCID: PMC10423550 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication of the relative health risks of IQOS can attract potential consumers, aiding its commercial success. However, health-related claims need to be used cautiously to avoid inaccuracies and attracting non-smokers. We used the live webchat service on the IQOS website to identify information and claims on the relative risks of IQOS made directly to potential consumers in different countries. METHODS The study was promoted through authors' networks and conducted between 1 August and 30 November 2020. Participants collected webchat conversation responses to three queries regarding the safety of IQOS relative to cigarettes and e-cigarettes using step-by-step guidance and a predesigned form. Responses were analysed to identify health-related claims and information provided. RESULTS 70 webchat attempts were recorded across 27 countries, 54 of which (in 22 countries) were successful webchat conversations. In 48 of these, one or more claims were used to indicate IQOS is safer than cigarettes, such as IQOS is smoke free, emits less harmful substances or reduces harm. Four conversations contained statements indicating IQOS is safer than e-cigarettes. Some statements provided were contradictory. Participant age was consistently requested on accessing the website, but tobacco/nicotine use was not. Other information provided included referral to the 2020 US Food and Drug Administration Modified Risk Tobacco Product decision, IQOS or Philip Morris International web pages and claims that IQOS is not risk free nor a cessation device. CONCLUSIONS A variety of claims and information on the relative safety of IQOS were used in webchat communications. Response variation highlights that clearer regulation is needed to appropriately control corporate communications via live webchat services.
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32
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Vassey J, Valente T, Barker J, Stanton C, Li D, Laestadius L, Cruz TB, Unger JB. E-cigarette brands and social media influencers on Instagram: a social network analysis. Tob Control 2023; 32:e184-e191. [PMID: 35131947 PMCID: PMC9473311 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to visual posts featuring e-cigarette products on social media is associated with increased e-cigarette use among US adolescents. Instagram is the largest source of e-cigarette social media marketing, where influencers-for example, bloggers, brand ambassadors-post promotional materials. This study analysed the network of e-cigarette brands and influencers on Instagram, characterising the most central players in e-cigarette social media marketing. METHODS We tracked influencers with public profiles on Instagram who posted promotional e-cigarette content in 2020, had over 1000 followers and high user engagement rate (ratio of likes and comments to followers) of 1%-25% per post. By conducting a social network analysis, we identified the most central (highly involved in promotional activities) influencers and e-cigarette brands. The number of the influencers' followers aged 13-17 years old and the age verification practices restricting youth access were also assessed. RESULTS There is a highly interconnected network of engaging e-cigarette influencers (n=55) worldwide who collaborated with over 600 e-cigarette brands in 2020. The Asian and US influencers had five to six times more teenage followers compared with the European influencers. 75% of the influencers did not restrict youth access to their promotional content on Instagram. The brands Voopotech, Innokin, Geekvape, Lost Vape, Smok and Vaporesso collaborated with the largest number of influencers (mean n=20). CONCLUSIONS It is important to understand associations among influencers and e-cigarette use behaviours, especially youth, to inform effective public health communication and potential policies that could regulate social media marketing sponsored by e-cigarette companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Vassey
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tom Valente
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua Barker
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cassandra Stanton
- Behavioral Health and Health Policy Practice, Westat, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Dongmei Li
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Linnea Laestadius
- Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tess Boley Cruz
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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33
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Meza LR, Galimov A, Sussman S, Goniewicz ML, Page MK, Leventhal A. Proliferation of 'non-menthol' cigarettes amid a state-wide flavour ban. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058074. [PMID: 37474314 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leah R Meza
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Artur Galimov
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steve Sussman
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, and School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Michelle K Page
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Adam Leventhal
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Siegel LN, Cook S, Oh H, Liber AC, Levy DT, Fleischer NL. The longitudinal association between coupon receipt and established cigarette smoking initiation among young adults in USA. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058065. [PMID: 37468154 PMCID: PMC10796848 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tobacco companies frequently distribute coupons for their products. This marketing tactic may be particularly effective among young adults, who tend to be especially price-sensitive. Young adulthood is also a stage during which many individuals initiate established cigarette smoking and are especially vulnerable to the effects of tobacco marketing. METHODS We used five waves of data from the US Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2019) to assess the longitudinal relationship between cigarette coupon receipt and initiation of established cigarette smoking among young adults (18-24 years) who did not report current smoking and had smoked <100 cigarettes in their lifetime at baseline. Initiation of established cigarette smoking was defined as reporting current cigarette use and having smoked ≥100 cigarettes at follow-up. To test this relationship, we fit four discrete time survival models to an unbalanced person-period data set. The first model included our time-varying coupon receipt variable, which was lagged one wave. Subsequent models added sociodemographic, cigarette smoking exposure and other tobacco use variables. RESULTS Adopting the model adjusting for sociodemographic variables, respondents who received a coupon were found to be more likely to initiate established cigarette smoking at follow-up (adjusted HR (aHR): 2.31, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.80). This relationship remained significant when controlling for all covariates in the fully adjusted model (aHR: 1.96, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.26). CONCLUSIONS These findings show that receiving tobacco coupons may increase the likelihood that young adults will initiate established cigarette smoking, underscoring the need to address the effects of this tobacco marketing tactic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeann Nicole Siegel
- Tobacco Control Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Cook
- Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hayoung Oh
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alex C Liber
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - David T Levy
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nancy L Fleischer
- Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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35
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Lempert LK. TAAT and the rise of hemp cigarettes. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058123. [PMID: 37419680 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kass Lempert
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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36
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Robertson L, Hoek J, Silver K. PMI New Zealand conflates IQOS heated tobacco products with electronic nicotine delivery systems. Tob Control 2023; 32:534-536. [PMID: 34799435 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Robertson
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Janet Hoek
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Karin Silver
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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37
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Liutkute-Gumarov V, Ross H. Tobacco industry compliance with the EU track and tracing system in Lithuania. Tob Control 2023; 32:517-519. [PMID: 34785563 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Union (EU)-wide tobacco tracking and tracing system (T&T system) became operational on 20 May 2019, allowing a transitional period and gradual installation of the system until May 2020. This study attempts to assess the EU T&T system using a sample of discarded cigarette packs collected in Lithuania. METHODS The empty pack survey was conducted between September 2019 and September 2020, covering both the transitional period and the period of full implementation. The study employed a two-stage cluster design by first randomly selecting 65 well-defined population clusters (30 cities and 35 towns) representing both urban and rural areas in all 10 counties in Lithuania. Second, we randomly selected 358 polling districts (routes) in each cluster. RESULTS The fieldworkers walked at least 1074 km and collected 5727 discarded empty cigarette packs. None of the packs found during the EU T&T transitional period had a unique identifier (UI). After the full implementation of the EU T&T system, 32.0% of the collected packs were still without a UI. 5.8% of licit packs were without a UI after the May 2020 deadline. Most of the legal non-compliant packs (131, or 69.7%) were intended for the Lithuanian market. Close to 85% of packs that had duty-free markings were non-compliant. CONCLUSION The tobacco industry most likely disregarded the EU T&T transitional period as no packs with UIs were found up until the full implementation. Packs without UIs were still found 4 months after the full implementation of the EU T&T system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaida Liutkute-Gumarov
- Health Research Institute Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Hana Ross
- Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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38
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Astuti PAS. Policy incoherence and unwillingness of the Indonesian government to curb its alarming tobacco epidemic. Tob Control 2023; 32:405-406. [PMID: 37339795 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
- Udayana Center for NCDs, Tobacco Control and Lung Health (CENTRAL), Udayana University, Bukit Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia
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39
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Pennings JLA, Ferris Wayne G, Klerx WNM, Pauwels CGGM, Talhout R. Variations in cigarette brand characteristics: can consumers tell the difference? Tob Control 2023; 32:467-472. [PMID: 34845063 PMCID: PMC10313973 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sensory experience is an important determinant of smoking initiation, brand choice and harm perception, but little is known about how cigarette design shapes sensory experience. This study reports which variations in tobacco blend and design characteristics available on the market are likely to be perceived as different by consumers. METHODS Truth Tobacco Industry Documents was reviewed for studies showing noticeable sensory differences resulting from variations in tobacco blend and design characteristics. These differences were compared with tobacco product data as available in the Dutch section of the European Common Entry Gate (EU-CEG) system on 30 April 2020. RESULTS Industry documents identified discrimination thresholds for ventilation, pressure drop, tobacco weight, filter length, and tar and nicotine levels in smoke while evidence for other design characteristics was less conclusive. In the 103 different cigarette varieties in the EU-CEG database, five main types of cigarettes could be identified by principal component analysis, differing in (combinations of) design characteristics. The most significant differences between brand varieties were tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide emissions and associated parameters filter ventilation, filter length, cigarette length and tobacco weight. CONCLUSIONS While some clusters of brand varieties provided a noticeably different product for consumers, in many cases design differences within these clusters did not exceed the expected discrimination threshold. This indicates that many products on the market are not discernibly different for consumers, and that proliferation of brand varieties has a non-sensory purpose, such as marketing. Policy makers should consider limiting available brand varieties and regulating design characteristics to reduce product appeal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen L A Pennings
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Walther N M Klerx
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte G G M Pauwels
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Reinskje Talhout
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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40
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Zatoński MZ, Egbe CO, Robertson L, Gilmore A. Framing the policy debate over tobacco control legislation and tobacco taxation in South Africa. Tob Control 2023; 32:450-457. [PMID: 34824147 PMCID: PMC10314007 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2018, South Africa opened public consultations on its newly proposed tobacco control bill, resulting in substantial public debate in which a range of arguments, either in favour of or against the Bill, was advanced. These were accompanied by the recurring discussions about the annual adjustments in tobacco taxation. This study uses the concept of framing to examine the public debate in South African print media on the potential effects of the legislation, as well as tobacco tax regulations, between their proponents and detractors. METHODS A systematic search of news articles using multiple data sources identified 132 media articles published between January 2018 and September 2019 that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Seven overarching frames were identified as characterising the media debate, with the three dominant frames being Economic, Harm reduction and vaping, and Health. The leading Economic frame consisted primarily of arguments unsupportive of tobacco control legislation. Economic arguments were promoted by tobacco industry spokespeople, trade unions, organisations of retailers, media celebrities and think tanks-several of which have been identified as front groups or third-party lobbyists for the tobacco industry. CONCLUSION The dominance of economic arguments opposing tobacco control legislation risks undermining tobacco control progress. Local and global tobacco control advocates should seek to build relationships with media, as well as collate and disseminate effective counterarguments to those advanced by the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Zygmunt Zatoński
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- European Observatory of Health Inequalities, Calisia University, Kalisz, Poland
| | - Catherine O Egbe
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Lindsay Robertson
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Anna Gilmore
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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41
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Heley K, Popova L, Moran MB, Ben Taleb Z, Hart JL, Wackowski OA, Westling E, Smiley SL, Stanton CA. Targeted tobacco marketing in 2020: the case of #BlackLivesMatter. Tob Control 2023; 32:530-533. [PMID: 34907090 PMCID: PMC9295306 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Heley
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lucy Popova
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Meghan Bridgid Moran
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ziyad Ben Taleb
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Joy L Hart
- Department of Communication, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Olivia A Wackowski
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Sabrina L Smiley
- Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cassandra A Stanton
- Behavioral Health & Health Policy, Westat, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Gupta PC, Pednekar MS, Narake S, Puntambekar N, Mc Carthy WJ, Mistry R. Awareness and Use of e-cigarettes among Adolescents and Their Adult Caregivers in Two Cities of India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2023; 24:2195-2197. [PMID: 37505747 PMCID: PMC10676491 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.7.2195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE E-cigarette use poses an additional risk for individuals who are not cigarette smokers, especially adolescents. The marketing tactics of the industry have substantially increased the prevalence of e-cigarettes, use among adolescents. India banned e-cigarette in September 2019 that has been criticized by interested groups. We investigated that among adults and adolescents, who are more aware and using e-cigarette more? METHODS The data were taken from a population-based representative household survey conducted in Mumbai and Kolkata in the year 2019-2020. A household was enrolled if it had a 12-14 year old adolescent living in it and both adolescent and adult caregivers agreed to participate in the survey. The data from 944 adolescents out of 15,436 enumerated in Mumbai and 1038 out of 24,284 enumerated in Kolkata and their caregivers were analyzed for awareness and ever use of e-cigarettes. Result: The awareness of e-cigarettes among 12-14 year olds in Mumbai was 15.5%, almost identical among boys and girls whereas is in Kolkata it was 11.2%. In contrast, among the adolescents' adult caregivers in Mumbai, the awareness was low, 3.9% and in Kolkata, 4.6%. Overall awareness was significantly higher among adolescents than among caregivers, especially among adolescent girls than among female caregivers in both cities. CONCLUSION The awareness and the use of e-cigarette were very little and the messages from the e-cigarette industry seem to be targeted more towards adolescents than adults. The ban on an e-cigarette in India has helped in prevented the marketing of ENDS to adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash C Gupta
- Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai, India.
| | | | - Sameer Narake
- Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai, India.
| | | | - William J Mc Carthy
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California-Los Angeles, CA, United States.
- Center for Cancer Prevention & Control Research, University of California-Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Ritesh Mistry
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Berg CJ, Romm KF, Bar-Zeev Y, Abroms LC, Klinkhammer K, Wysota CN, Khayat A, Broniatowski DA, Levine H. IQOS marketing strategies in the USA before and after US FDA modified risk tobacco product authorisation. Tob Control 2023; 32:418-427. [PMID: 34667105 PMCID: PMC9016087 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised reduced exposure messaging to be used in IQOS marketing, we examined: (1) IQOS ad content; (2) advertising media channels and (3) changes in advertising efforts over time. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods study regarding IQOS ad content (headlines, themes, images), ad occurrence characteristics (including content, media channels and adspend) in the USA from August 2019 to April 2021 using Numerator advertising/marketing data. RESULTS Across 24 unique ads and 591 occurrences (84.6% online, 8.0% print, 7.4% mobile), there was $4 902 110 total adspend (98.9% allocated to print). Across unique ads, occurrences and adspend, prominent themes included 'real tobacco' (45.8%, 47.4%, 30.1%, respectively), less odour/ash (29.2%, 21.0%, 29.9%) and switching from cigarettes (25.0%, 19.5%, 69.4%), and images mainly featured the product alone (58.2%, 61.4%, 99.5%) or with women (25.0%, 19.1%, 0.3%). Per occurrences and adspend, the most prominent media channel themes (eg, magazine/website topics) were technology (19.3%, 10.6%), women's fashion (18.1%, 26.2%), weather/news (9.0%, 15.3%) and entertainment/pop culture/gaming (8.5%, 23.1%). Ad themes appearing only post-FDA authorisation included switching from traditional cigarettes, same-day/home-delivery, convenience (eg, use indoors), reduced exposure to some dangerous substances, science/research and distinction from e-cigarettes. Overall adspend per occurrence increased postauthorisation (p=0.016); the highest adspend per unique ad (69.3% of total) focused on ads featuring reduced exposure. CONCLUSIONS Regulatory efforts must be informed by ongoing surveillance of IQOS marketing efforts and its impacts, particularly how specific consumer subgroups (eg, tobacco non-users, women, young people) are impacted by marketing exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla J Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katelyn F Romm
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yael Bar-Zeev
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lorien C Abroms
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katharina Klinkhammer
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christina N Wysota
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amal Khayat
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David A Broniatowski
- Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hagai Levine
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel
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Jabba SV, Erythropel HC, Woodrow JG, Anastas PT, O'Malley S, Krishnan-Sarin S, Zimmerman JB, Jordt SE. Synthetic cooling agent in oral nicotine pouch products marketed as 'Flavour-Ban Approved'. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058035. [PMID: 37380351 PMCID: PMC10753027 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND US sales of oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) have rapidly increased, with cool/mint-flavoured ONPs the most popular flavour category. Restrictions on sales of flavoured tobacco products have either been implemented or proposed by several US states and localities. Zyn, the most popular ONP brand, is marketing Zyn Chill and Zyn Smooth as 'Flavour-Ban Approved' or 'unflavoured', probably to evade flavour bans and increase product appeal. At present, it is unclear whether these ONPs are indeed free of flavour additives that can impart pleasant sensations such as cooling. METHODS Sensory cooling and irritant activities of 'Flavour-Ban Approved' Zyn ONPs, Chill and Smooth, along with minty varieties (Cool Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, Menthol), were analysed by Ca2+ microfluorimetry in HEK293 cells expressing the cold/menthol (TRPM8) or menthol/irritant receptor (TRPA1). Flavour chemical content of these ONPs was analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS Zyn Chill ONP extracts robustly activated TRPM8, with much higher efficacy (39%-53%) than the mint-flavoured ONPs. In contrast, mint-flavoured ONP extracts elicited stronger TRPA1 irritant receptor responses than Chill extracts. Chemical analysis demonstrated that Chill exclusively contained WS-3, an odourless synthetic cooling agent, while mint-flavoured ONPs contained WS-3 together with mint flavourants. CONCLUSIONS ONP products marketed as 'Flavour-Ban Approved' or 'unflavoured' contain flavouring agents, proving that the manufacturer's advertising is misleading. Synthetic coolants such as WS-3 can provide a robust cooling sensation with reduced sensory irritancy, thereby increasing product appeal and use. Regulators need to develop effective strategies for the control of odourless sensory additives used by the industry to bypass flavour bans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sairam V Jabba
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hanno C Erythropel
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Paul T Anastas
- Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Stephanie O'Malley
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Julie B Zimmerman
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sven Eric Jordt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Tosakoon S, Romm KF, Berg CJ. Nicotine pouch awareness, use and perceptions among young adults from six metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Tob Prev Cessat 2023; 9:19. [PMID: 37293565 PMCID: PMC10246475 DOI: 10.18332/tpc/163243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nicotine pouches, which emerged in the US in 2016 and are marketed as 'tobacco-free', may appeal to young adults. This study examined young adults' nicotine pouch awareness, use, use intentions, and related factors. METHODS We analyzed Spring 2022 survey data from 942 young adults recruited via social media from six US cities (mean age=27.61 years, 34.3% men, 33.1% racial/ethnic minority) to characterize nicotine pouch awareness, ever use, use intentions, exposure, and perceptions. RESULTS Nicotine pouch awareness and ever use were reported by 34.6% and 9.8%, respectively. Males (AOR=1.79; 95% CI: 1.33-2.38), non-White participants (vs White; AOR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.04-2.61), and those using cigarettes (AOR=2.67; 95% CI: 1.63-4.38), e-cigarettes (AOR=2.28; 95% CI: 1.57-3.31), and smokeless tobacco (SLT) (AOR=14.46; 95% CI: 1.81-115.61) had greater odds of awareness. Among those aware of nicotine pouches, males (AOR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.33-3.85), White participants (vs Asian; AOR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.17-0.94), and SLT users (AOR=4.90; 95% CI: 1.26-18.98) had greater odds of ever use; being male (B=0.39; 95% CI: -0.67 - -0.12) and using SLT (B=1.73; 95% CI: 1.10-2.36) predicted greater use intentions. Overall, 31.4% reported past-month advertising exposure, most often via tobacco retailers (67.3%). Ever users most commonly purchased them at gas stations (46.7%). The most frequently reported use motives were to quit combusted tobacco (16.8%) and reduce tobacco smell (15.4%). Nicotine pouches were perceived as less harmful and less addictive than cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and SLT, and more socially acceptable than cigarettes and SLT. CONCLUSIONS Young adults were exposed to advertising, accessed nicotine pouches via various sources, and perceived these products favorably. Marketing and use surveillance is needed to monitor their impact on those likely to use them (e.g. males, SLT users).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sararat Tosakoon
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States
| | - Katelyn F. Romm
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Carla J. Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States
- George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, United States
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Grundy Q. Industry influences on science and policy: identifying levers for independence. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058085. [PMID: 37253587 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Quinn Grundy
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Lee JGL, Soule EK. Evidence of potential tobacco industry influence in Tobacco Regulatory Science. Tob Control 2023; 32:400-401. [PMID: 34389687 PMCID: PMC8840994 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G L Lee
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
- Cancer Prevention and Control, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric K Soule
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Pearson
- Division of Social and Behavioral Health/Health Administration and Policy, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Daniel P Giovenco
- Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - M Jane Lewis
- Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Meghan Moran
- Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ollie Ganz
- Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Nunes-Rubinstein M, Leão T. Arguments used by proponents and opponents in Brazil's regulatory discussions of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Tob Control 2023; 32:296-301. [PMID: 34531313 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify proponents and opponents of the commercialisation and marketing of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), identify the arguments used on both sides and compare how the arguments have changed over time, we analysed three policy discussions occurring in 2009, 2018 and 2019. METHODS We conducted a content analysis of one document and six videos from these discussions, provided on the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency website, or upon request. RESULTS The arguments most used by tobacco companies were related to claims that the use of e-cigarettes and HTPs is less harmful than conventional tobacco. Unions that support its commercialisation also argued that lifting the ban would prevent smuggling and guarantee their quality. On the other side, universities, medical and anti-tobacco institutions argued that such devices may have health risks, including the risk of inducing cigarette smoking. In 2009, most arguments belonged to the 'health' theme, while in 2018 and 2019 economic arguments and those related to morals and ethics were frequently used. CONCLUSIONS Those that supported the commercialisation and marketing of e-cigarettes and HTPs first focused on arguments of harm reduction, while 10 years later the right to access and potential economic consequences also became common. Public health agents and academics must gather evidence to effectively respond to these arguments and discuss these policies, and must prepare themselves to use and respond to arguments related to moral and economic themes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Leão
- EPI-Unit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated tobacco industry interference in the tobacco control policies of Arab nations. This paper explores the tactics used by the industry to subvert tobacco control policies in Oman and offers lessons on how to prevent such interference in the future. METHODS We searched the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Archive using the word 'Oman', names of government institutions, policymakers and local tobacco distributors. Extracted data were noted chronologically by key elements of tobacco control measures. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Health Ministers' Council resolutions on tobacco control were also reviewed. RESULTS Out of 1020 tobacco documents located, 327 were closely related to policy interference. Documents revealed that the industry met key government officials, offered in-kind services, used local diplomatic missions to influence Omani policymakers, opposed smoking bans, delayed regulations to lower tar and nicotine content of cigarettes, and to require effective health warnings, circumvented a tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship ban and provided voluntary codes as an alternative to effective regulations. Additionally, industry representatives lobbied individual countries in the GCC to veto tax increments and defeat consensus on agreed resolutions of the Health Ministers' Council. CONCLUSION The tobacco industry interfered in all key public health policies aimed to reduce tobacco use in Oman. There is an urgent need for the Omani government to enforce the Civil Code of Conduct and develop guidelines for all policymakers through implementing Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to curb the tobacco epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stella A Bialous
- Center for Tobacco Control, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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