Preventing Tobacco Initiation
Here are some of the ways RHA works to prevent tobacco use:
Tobacco Pricing
Increasing the unit price of tobacco products is one of most effective strategies to prevent youth tobacco initiation and reduce overall tobacco use. Research suggests that with every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes, youth smoking rates are reduced by 6.5% and adult smoking rates are reduced by 2%. (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
Point of Sale Policies
The tobacco industry spends nearly $8 billion per year on marketing efforts at the point of sale. Given this focus, point of sale has now become the new target for innovative tobacco control policies and public health interventions.
Tobacco 21
Teenage years are a critical time for tobacco prevention. It is estimated that 95 percent of smokers start before the age of 21. Tobacco 21 was the successful initiative to raise the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 at the local and state level.
Tobacco Surveillance
The tobacco industry is constantly evolving and adapting. It is the responsibility of tobacco control advocates to keep up with new trends, products, and lobbying efforts. RHA stays up-to-date in the latest tobacco industry trends, including monitoring new tobacco products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes), heat-not-burn products, and hookah. RHA also researches local tobacco retail density, tobacco marketing campaigns, and industry efforts to undermine prevention policies.
Read RHA’s research into tobacco industry trends in the Tobacco Control section of our Library. If you are interested in bringing innovative tobacco control policies and programs to your community or institution, contact Kelly Nichols, Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy, via email at knichols@resphealth.org or by phone at (312) 628-0226.