Public support for policies to regulate flavoured tobacco and e-cigarette products in rural California

Abstract

IntroductionFlavoured tobacco control policy exemptions and electronic cigarette products may contribute to increased youth access and tobacco use disparities.MethodsWe assessed public support among California Central Valley residents for four policies to regulate flavoured tobacco products and e-cigarettes. The probability-based, multimode survey was conducted with English-speaking and Spanish-speaking registered voters (n=845) across 11 counties between 13 and 18 August 2020. Weighted logistic regression analyses measured odds of policy support, adjusting for predictor variables (attitudes and beliefs) and covariates.ResultsThe weighted sample was 50% female and predominantly Latino (30%) or non-Hispanic white (46%); 26% had a high school education or less, and 22% an annual household income <US$30 000. Overall, 58% support a comprehensive flavoured tobacco product sales ban, and 59% support a flavoured e-cigarette product sales ban. In addition, 81% support limiting the amount of nicotine in e-cigarette pods, and 91% support mandating vaping health warning signs at local retailers. Flavour bans were more likely to be backed by women, seniors, Latinos, non-smokers and non-vapers. Participants who believe minors have more access to flavoured products had greater odds of supporting all policies. Those aware of the association between e-cigarettes and lung injury were more likely to support non-ban policies. Participants who believe e-cigarettes help to reduce tobacco use or e-cigarettes are relatively less addictive were less likely to support bans.DiscussionFindings add to mounting evidence of support for policies to regulate flavoured tobacco and e-cigarette products. Results on attitudes and beliefs elucidate how these factors influence support.

Flavours, ingredients and flavour bans

“…Levy and colleagues 10 provide strong modelling support for the implementation of a ban on menthol in cigarettes and cigars in the USA, projecting it could prevent over 650 000 premature deaths and avert 11 million life-years lost over a 40-year window. Payán et al 11 showed majority support for flavoured product bans in a rural California sample. Meich and colleagues 12 show that within the USA, menthol cigarette use among adolescents is down substantially from 2012 to 2020, with the past 30 day use below 5% prevalence, even among Black adolescents, but suggest that bans could bring this down further.…”

Legal Education for a Tobacco-Free Lifestyle in Muslim Communities

“…A study suggests that no-smoking signs, when not supported by regulations, do not significantly impact smoking behaviour; therefore, installing no-smoking signs is crucial (Platter & Pokorny, 2018). Studies in several countries support tobacco restrictions and the placement of health warning signs due to smoking behaviour (Payán et al, 2022), and collaboration is considered strategically crucial for policy influence (Ikegwuonu et al, 2021).…”