Tapping Into Multiple Data “Springs” to Strengthen Policy Streams: A Guide to the Types of Data Needed to Formulate Local Retail Tobacco Control Policy

Abstract

In 2015, the tobacco industry spent $8.24 billion to market tobacco products in convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retail or point-of-sale settings. Community tobacco control partnerships have numerous evidence-based policies (eg, tobacco retailer licensing and compliance, tobacco-free–school buffer zones, eliminating price discounts) to counter point-of-sale tobacco marketing. However, deciding which point-of-sale policies to implement — and when and in what order to implement them — is challenging. The objective of this article was to describe tools and other resources that local-level tobacco use prevention and control leaders can use to assemble the data they need to formulate point-of-sale tobacco policies that fit the needs of their communities, have potential for public health impact, and are feasible in the local policy environment. We were guided by Kingdon’s theory of policy change, which contends that windows of policy opportunity open when 3 streams align: a clear problem, a solution to the problem, and the political will to work for change. Community partnerships can draw on 7 data “springs” to activate Kingdon’s streams: 1) epidemiologic and surveillance data, 2) macro retail environment data, 3) micro retail environment data, 4) the current policy context, 5) local legal feasibility of policy options, 6) the potential for public health impact, and 7) political will.

Restricting the sale of tobacco products only in tobacconists: a necessary measure to strengthen the National Tobacco Control Policy

“…In an attempt to formulate tools that can be used within the scope of public policies to restrict selling points, it was found that increasing the price of tobacco products is the most effective way to reduce overall consumption and that the distance from selling points of schools must be expanded. In addition, greater surveillance is needed in relation to current bans, particularly as advertisement density near schools has been associated with student use outcomes (MYERS et al, 2019;PHETPHUM;NARONGSAK, 2019).…”

Restrição da venda de produtos de tabaco apenas em tabacarias: uma medida necessária para o fortalecimento da Política Nacional de Controle do Tabaco

“…Na tentativa de formular ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas no âmbito das políticas públicas para restrição de pontos de vendas, constatou-se que aumentar o preço dos produtos do tabaco é a forma mais eficaz de reduzir o consumo geral e que a distância dos pontos de vendas das escolas deve ser expandida. Além disso, é necessária maior fiscalização em relação às proibições atuais, principalmente porque a densidade de anúncios perto das escolas foi associada aos resultados do uso pelos alunos (MYERS et al, 2019;PHETPHUM;NARONGSAK, 2019).…”

Local and State Policy Action Taken in the United States to Address the Emergence of E-Cigarettes and Vaping: A Scoping Review of Literature

“…In their discussion of strengthening policy streams for tobacco control, Myers et al (2019) describe the importance of naming public health impact and including supporting citations that outline how the proposed policy will lead to the health benefit. Given the potential use of e-cigarettes as harm reduction devices for adult smokers and the reluctance of legislators to interfere with individual rights, advocates, and policymakers will likely need to use the literature to demonstrate a policy will actually address its stated goal, if meant to address youth vaping.…”