Resources

This study found that the sales volume of Natural American Spirit cigarettes, often perceived as a “safer smoke,” was greater in cities with lower adult smoking prevalence, and, unlike other brands, did not increase in cities where excise taxes were higher. [...]

An audit of retail sales of e-cigarettes showed increases of sales and exterior marketing in neighborhoods with the highest proportion of Black residents. Retailers in states with high smoking prevalence appear to be targeted by e-cigarette marketing. [...]

Between March and July 2019, we interviewed tobacco control program managers or coalition members in each of our 30 ASPiRE Community Advisory Board (CAB) cities about their retail policy efforts. We also conducted an online survey of state tobacco control program managers in all 50 states. We collected data on Retail Policy Activity, Barriers, and [...]

An editorial discussing a Lawman et al. study of the Philadelphia, PA, retail policy environment and acknowledging its importance. The authors describe the need to examine policy mechanisms and environmental changes to equip communities in efforts to design new tobacco control policies. Exploring these factors will allow for more effective policies that meet the specific demands of communities’ [...]

Set of 30 Tobacco Swamps Maps for the 30 cities represented on the ASPiRE Community Advisory Board (CAB). [...]

Set of 30 Tobacco Retailer Density Fact Sheets for the 30 cities represented on the ASPiRE Community Advisory Board (CAB). [...]

This interactive dashboard has maps for all 30 cities represented the ASPiRE Community Advisory Board. Tobacco control programs and other stakeholders can explore and compare projections for retailer density policies within and across the CAB cities. [...]

A paper describing recent trends in cigarette smoking by annual household income from 2011 to 2017. The study found that in every state, the odds of smoking were greater in lower-income vs. higher-income groups in 2017. Income-based disparities declined from 2011 to 2017 in only one state and widened in three states. The study suggests that [...]

A paper examining the association between tobacco retailer density and adult smoking prevalence for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. The study found that metropolitan counties with the highest retailer density had higher smoking prevalence than those with the lowest retail density. [...]

A paper describing an agent-based model finding that restricting menthol cigarette retail sales to tobacco specialty stores may have the largest effect on cigarette cost. This effect could be enhanced when this policy is combined with other tobacco retail policies. [...]

A brief summarizing a research paper finding that counties with resources such as program capacity, political will, and policy options were more likely to adopt tobacco control retail policies. Localities with higher smoking rates and priority populations were less likely to do so. [...]

A brief on research using the Tobacco Town computer model, which found that combination of retail policies can increase cigarette costs, thereby reducing disparities. [...]

A brief summarizing a paper describing the use of a computer model to test the effect of retail restrictions on retailer density, the cost of cigarettes, and the distance customers travel to buy cigarettes. The paper concluded that combining restrictions on menthol sales and retailer density could increase costs in low-income areas, and that the [...]

A paper suggesting that agent-based modeling may be an effective way to test the impact of retail-based tobacco. The paper concludes that context matters: limiting access to tobacco through retailer density reduction has varying results depending on community type. [...]

A paper describing the policy and sociodemographic environment of early adopters of local retail tobacco control policies. The paper found that localities with more resources were more likely to adopt such policies, while those with higher smoking rates and proportions of priority populations were less likely to do so. [...]

A paper finding that discrepancies between the advertised price of tobacco products, and purchase receipts are a valid measure of compliance with minimum price policies, taxes, and advertising restrictions. [...]

A study examining the effect of a buffer policy banning tobacco retailers from operating within 1000 feet of schools on disparities in tobacco retailer density. The authors found that such policies were most effective in low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods. [...]

A paper examining inequalities in tobacco outlet density at the census tract level across the U.S. by race, ethnicity, and income. The authors found that higher retailer density was associated with lower census tract income. [...]

A presentation describing agent-based modeling and its use in studying tobacco retail policy implementation and its effect on retail density and cost. [...]

A paper describing the development of the STARS tool and evaluating its early use among state tobacco control programs. The study reports on states’ use of the tool, finding that it can be used to inform policy change. [...]

A graphical timeline of events affecting tobacco retail policy from 2005 to 2016, including poilcy development, industry action, reports and evidence, and ASPiRE data collection. [...]

A study using a model to the impact of minimum cigarette price laws and taxes on tobacco prices and consumption. The model found that minimum price laws are more effective than excise taxes in reducing income-based smoking disparities. [...]

A presentation assessing state- and local-level activity on 33 tobacco retail policies and identifying barriers to progress, needed resources, trends in policy activity over time, and licensing and enforcement. [...]

A survey of state tobacco control programs’ retail policy activities in 2012 and 2014 found that policy activities increased dramatically in a short time. [...]

A paper describing New York City’s experience and eventual success of its T21 and price policies. Key to its success were strong partnerships, public and political support, and ample local data. [...]

A report in a periodic series on the tobacco retail landscape, with recommendations for studying and addressing three key areas: retailer density, store assessment, and policy activity. [...]

A systematic review examining disparities in tobacco marketing, based on neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. The authors found that lower-income neighborhoods have more tobacco marketing and that urban neighborhoods and those with more black residents had more menthol marketing. Smokeless tobacco was more heavily marketed in rural neighborhoods and those with white residents. [...]

A paper reporting on interviews of state tobacco control program managers and on the influence of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA) on tobacco retail policy activity. The study found that retail policy is growing in importance following the passage of the FSPTCA. [...]

An annual report of the tobacco retail landscape, examining survey results from state tobacco control staff on their retail policy activity, including licensing and density, marketing, pricing, and e-cigarettes. [...]

A case study of New York City’s efforts to eliminate access to cheap tobacco and to reduce youth tobacco use thorugh price and T21 laws. [...]

A report highlighting the experience with STARS in Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont. These states illustrate how STARS can be used to increase awareness and inform tobacco retail policy. [...]

Case studies of retail policy success stories from Providence, RI; Massachusetts; and New York City. Policies implemented included pricing, youth access, and retailer restrictions. [...]

A study examining the accuracy of various tools to measure tobacco product displays, for purposes of retail store assessments. The authors found that measurement tools were generally reliable but varied in sensitivity to size. [...]

A table linking items in the STARS assessment with specific tobacco control issues and relevant policies to address them. [...]

A poster describing New York City’s experience with T21 and tobacco pricing policy. [...]

A presentation describing a study of the increase in tobacco retail policy from 2012 to 2014, including a discussion of barriers to implementation, helpful resources, and trends in activity. [...]

The first report of an annual series on the tobacco retail landscape, with emphasis on industry marketing efforts at the retailer level and policy strategies to confront tobacco marketing. [...]

A case study discussing the experience of Providence, RI, in implementing a tobacco price discounting ban. Key considerations for policy development efforts include legal expertise, licensing laws to support enforcement, and store assessments, and public support. [...]