Impact of Massachusetts’ Statewide Sales Restriction on Flavored and Menthol Tobacco Products on Tobacco Sales in Massachusetts and Surrounding States, June 2020

Kingsley, Melody; McGinnes, Hannah; Song, Glory; Doane, Jacqueline; Henley, Patricia

doi:10.2105/ajph.2022.306879

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These study findings are consistent with a recent study demonstrating high retailer compliance and large decreases in the sales of all flavored tobacco following policy implementation in Massachusetts 30 . Similarly, a study of the statewide flavor policy in New York found that while there were decreases in past 30-day e-cigarette use, cigarette, and dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes, were observed over the 2-year period in New York State post implementation; 95% of vapers still reported using a non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarette following the restriction 31 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Early evidence of flavored tobacco product restrictions in Massachusetts and New York State

Schillo,

Seaman,

Cuccia

et al. 2023

Tob. Induc. Dis.

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INTRODUCTION With many US states and localities enacting policies that restrict flavored e-cigarette sales, evaluation of these restrictions is critical to inform future efforts. This study analyzed both survey and retail scanner data to assess early-stage impacts of flavored tobacco sales restrictions in Massachusetts and New York State on e-cigarettes sales and product use among young people. METHODS This study uses state-level e-cigarette retail sales data and survey data from youth and young adults (aged 13–24 years). Cross-sectional surveys were conducted at two time points in Massachusetts (both post policy implementation) and New York (pre and post policy implementation); retail sales data in both states were analyzed from 2019 through 2020 and compared to sales in control states. RESULTS E-cigarette unit sales decreased significantly following the implementation of statewide restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes in both Massachusetts and New York State (p<0.001). Survey data showed a decrease in mint flavored e-cigarette use in Massachusetts and an increase in tobacco flavored e-cigarette use in New York State over time (p=0.001). In both states, a greater proportion of respondents reported using disposable e-cigarettes at Time 2 compared to Time 1 (p=0.001). Among those who reported using fruit-flavored e-cigarettes in New York State, a significantly greater proportion reported disposable device use at Time 2 compared to Time 1 (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Findings from these case studies from two US states suggest that statewide policies reduce the availability of e-cigarettes and have the potential to reduce use of many youth-appealing flavors. The increase in use of disposable e-cigarettes likely reflects existing loopholes in federal policy, which may be attenuating the potential impact of strong state-level policies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Early evidence of flavored tobacco product restrictions in Massachusetts and New York State

Schillo,

Seaman,

Cuccia

et al. 2023

Tob. Induc. Dis.

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“…Prior reports have found conflicting results related to changes in cigarette sales in border states following the Massachusetts law [ 3 , 4 ]. However, these reports did not assess the statistical significance of sales trends or account for potential confounding factors, such as e-cigarette flavor polices, the COVID-19 pandemic, and differences across states in sociodemographic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, a Massachusetts government report found cigarette tax revenue declined statewide during 2021–2022; the same report also found cigarette tax revenue increased in some neighboring states [ 3 ]. In contrast, a recent study has shown that overall tobacco sales decreased in most neighboring states following the Massachusetts law [ 4 ]. The impact of the Massachusetts law on cigarette sales in bordering states, controlling for potential confounding factors, is unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Massachusetts law prohibiting flavored tobacco products sales on cross-border cigarette sales

et al. 2022

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Background In June 2020, Massachusetts implemented a law prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. This law was associated with significant declines in overall cigarette and menthol cigarette sales in Massachusetts, however it is unknown whether the law has increased cross-border sales in neighboring states where menthol cigarettes are still sold. Methods U.S. cigarette retail scanner data were licensed from the IRi Company. Cigarette pack sales were summed in 4-week periods during January 2020-December 2021 (n = 832). Outcomes were state-level pack sales per 1000 population, overall and by flavor status (menthol and non-flavored). A difference-in-differences analysis was used to examine adjusted sales for Massachusetts border states (New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island) before (January 2020-May 2020) and after (June 2020-December 2021) the Massachusetts’s law, compared to 28 non-border states. Control variables included state and time fixed effects; real price per pack; tobacco control policies; COVID-19 cases and deaths, and related statewide closure; and state sociodemographic characteristics. Results Following the law, unadjusted sales of menthol, non-flavored, and overall cigarettes trended upward in border states; however, these increases were not statistically significant or different from sales patterns in non-border states. This finding persisted after accounting for product prices, tobacco control policies, the COVID-19 pandemic, sociodemographic factors, and fixed effects. Conclusion Laws prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol products, reduce access to these products, while having no significant impact on cross-border sales in neighboring states where menthol cigarettes are sold.

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“…The net decline in total cigarette sales after the Massachusetts comprehensive menthol flavor ban was consistent with a previously published study’s findings and demonstrates that initial increases in cigarette sales in the bordering states were not sustained . Limitations of this study are that online cigarette sales were not accounted for and that Massachusetts implemented other tobacco control policies that could affect the results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…

2/3 in cigarette sales in the bordering states were not sustained. 4 Limitations of this study are that online cigarette sales were not accounted for and that Massachusetts implemented other tobacco control policies that could affect the results. The findings demonstrate that the US Food and Drug Administration's ban on menthol cigarettes may reduce overall cigarette consumption nationwide.

…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Analysis of Changes in Cigarette Sales in Massachusetts and Bordering States Following the Massachusetts Menthol Flavor Ban

et al. 2022

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Impact of Massachusetts’ Statewide Sales Restriction on Flavored and Menthol Tobacco Products on Tobacco Sales in Massachusetts and Surrounding States, June 2020

Cited by 9 publications

References 10 publications

Early evidence of flavored tobacco product restrictions in Massachusetts and New York State

Early evidence of flavored tobacco product restrictions in Massachusetts and New York State

Impact of Massachusetts law prohibiting flavored tobacco products sales on cross-border cigarette sales

Spatial Analysis of Changes in Cigarette Sales in Massachusetts and Bordering States Following the Massachusetts Menthol Flavor Ban

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