Restricting Sales of Menthol Tobacco Products: Lessons Learned rom Policy Passage and Implementation
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Bosma
LM, D'Silva J, Moze J, Matter C, Kingsbury JH, Brock B.
Restricting Sales of
Menthol Tobacco Products: Lessons Learned rom Policy Passage and Implementation
in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, Minnesota.
Health Equity. 2021 Jun 18;5(1):439-447. doi: 10.1089/heq.2020.0137. PMID:
34235369; PMCID: PMC8237100.
Purpose. Commercial
tobacco products have historically been target marketed to African American,
Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities, as well as to youth. Menthol
cigarettes increase smoking initiation and decrease smoking cessation, particularly
among African Americans who smoke menthol cigarettes at higher rates than their
white peers. Due to disproportionate tobacco-related health consequences for
members of these communities, effective tobacco control policies that restrict
availability of menthol products by focusing on retail sales are an important
element of addressing health disparities, and require policy efforts informed
by leadership and the voice of communities most impacted. This study examines
the organizing efforts of three successful policy initiatives in 2017-2018 in
Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, Minnesota, and identifies facilitators and
barriers of these campaigns.
Methods.
We conducted 50 key informant interviews with city council/staff, advocates,
and community members and analyzed them for emerging themes. The analysis
employed a process-oriented qualitative matrix process to identify emerging
themes and divergent perspectives.
Results.
Following policy implementation, outlets selling commercial menthol tobacco
products substantially decreased. Facilitators included strong city council
support, leadership from impacted communities, community awareness-building
campaigns, and understanding tobacco industry counter-tactics. Challenges
included the need to counter tobacco industry misinformation and retailer
attempts to circumvent the intent of restrictions.
Conclusion.
Well-planned advocacy campaigns led by community members most impacted by
commercial tobacco can overcome opposition and challenges to restrict sales of
menthol tobacco products and successfully reduce availability of these products
in their communities.
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