Arnold H Levinson1,2. 1. Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora CO. 2. University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora CO.
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, e-cigarettes overtook cigarettes as the leading tobacco product used by US adolescents. Most states, as well as federal regulations, have added e-cigarettes to laws prohibiting tobacco products sales to minors. We tested compliance with the newer regulation among Colorado urban retail businesses, speculating that violations might be more common for e-cigarettes than smokable cigarettes. Methods: Supervised minors visited a random sample of urban businesses and sequentially attempted to purchase an e-cigarette product and cigarettes. The protocol prescribed that the same minor make both attempts in each business, separated by at least a day to minimize influence of the first result on the second result. Data were collected during May 2014-January 2015. Results: Among 238 businesses, more than one-fourth (26.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 18.9%-33.2%) sold at least one type of product, and 6.3% (CI, 1.8%-10.8%) sold both types. Violation rates were similar for e-cigarette products and cigarettes (17.6% vs. 14.7%, p = n.s.). Conclusion: Enforcement to prevent retail tobacco sales to adolescents should include e-cigarette products. Dual testing of stores indicates that single visits underestimate the problem of underage tobacco sales. Implications: Adolescents can buy e-cigarettes from retail stores as easily as they buy cigarettes. Enforcement of tobacco sales laws should include e-cigarettes, and test-retest protocols are needed to estimate the true extent of the problem.
Introduction: In recent years, e-cigarettes overtook cigarettes as the leading tobacco product used by US adolescents. Most states, as well as federal regulations, have added e-cigarettes to laws prohibiting tobacco products sales to minors. We tested compliance with the newer regulation among Colorado urban retail businesses, speculating that violations might be more common for e-cigarettes than smokable cigarettes. Methods: Supervised minors visited a random sample of urban businesses and sequentially attempted to purchase an e-cigarette product and cigarettes. The protocol prescribed that the same minor make both attempts in each business, separated by at least a day to minimize influence of the first result on the second result. Data were collected during May 2014-January 2015. Results: Among 238 businesses, more than one-fourth (26.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 18.9%-33.2%) sold at least one type of product, and 6.3% (CI, 1.8%-10.8%) sold both types. Violation rates were similar for e-cigarette products and cigarettes (17.6% vs. 14.7%, p = n.s.). Conclusion: Enforcement to prevent retail tobacco sales to adolescents should include e-cigarette products. Dual testing of stores indicates that single visits underestimate the problem of underage tobacco sales. Implications: Adolescents can buy e-cigarettes from retail stores as easily as they buy cigarettes. Enforcement of tobacco sales laws should include e-cigarettes, and test-retest protocols are needed to estimate the true extent of the problem.
Authors: Arnold H Levinson; Ming Ma; Leonard A Jason; Joseph G L Lee; Hope Landrine; Deborah H Glueck; Joseph R DiFranza Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2018-10-01 Impact factor: 16.193
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