Abstract
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. While overall rates of traditional cigarette smoking have decreased in recent years, the use of flavored tobacco products among young people and new smokers has increased. Flavored products are more attractive to youth and are often perceived as less harmful. Menthol cigarettes are also used disproportionately by youth, women, the LGBT population, and communities of color. Prohibiting the sale of flavored products is an important step toward eliminating tobacco-related health disparities in the U.S. In 2014 and 2017, local health agencies funded by the California Tobacco Control Program conducted public opinion polls and key informant interviews to ascertain public sentiment around prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco. The Tobacco Control Evaluation Center analyzed this data and compared the results from both years. TCEC also analyzed evaluation reports from projects that advocated for policies restricting flavored tobacco in their jurisdictions during these years. The strategies used by these agencies, challenges encountered, and lessons learned can inform future work in this area of tobacco control. Statewide data shows both public and policymaker support for prohibiting flavored tobacco has increased from 2014-2017, with a third wave of data collection planned for 2019. Evaluation design to accurately inform policy implementation activities and assess the impacts of interventions is crucial to the success of these efforts. Extensive assessment of the community’s attitudes and beliefs to guide successful campaigns, and the mobilization of youth to self-advocate for restrictions on tobacco sales are also recommended.
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