Advancing tobacco retail policy Lindsay Robertson Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit
Overview Background Policies to regulate tobacco retailing Smokers perception study Other stakeholders perceptions In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Background the Government agrees with a longer term goal of reducing smoking prevalence and tobacco availability to minimal levels, thereby making New Zealand essentially a smoke-free nation by 2025. Source: NZ Government response to the report of the Māori Affairs Committee on its Inquiry into In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent the a Tobacco climatically Industry displaced in Aotearoa. population 2011, p.4.
Tobacco retailers in NZ 5008 outlets identified 46% high schools have outlet within 500m 53% outlets are within 1km of high school; average 6 outlets per school Density of outlets increases with neighbourhood deprivation In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Why is this a problem? Widespread availability promotes consumption May trigger relapse Message = smoking is normal Retailer competition Enforcement implications In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Policies to regulate tobacco retailing Negative licensing Emphasis on compliance Positive licensing + minimal conditions e.g: licensing fee, minimum vendor age, staff training Positive licensing + stronger conditions e.g: zoning; sinking lid; restrictions on outlet type In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Hungary Tobacco sales only at government-licensed outlets Max 1 licence per 2,000 residents Reduction in density of around 83% of tobacco outlets: 42,000 to 7,000 In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Huntington Park, California No new tobacco retailer licences: In residential zones Within 500ft of youth areas (schools, parks, libraries etc) Within 200 ft existing tobacco retailer Max 1 licence per 1,000 residents In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Smokers perceptions study Randomised online survey N=623 smokers, 18yrs+ (convenience sample) Assessed perceived effectiveness of 5 policy scenarios on: 1) preventing youth initiation 2) supporting cessation in relation to a benchmark 10% taxation policy
Scenarios tested Policy intervention A Continued annual 10% tax increases B No tobacco sales at on-licensed premises (bars, nightclubs etc) C No tobacco sales within 500m of a high school Approximate % reduction in outlets N/A Benchmark 13%; 8,000 to 7,000 13%; 8,000 to 7,000 D Tobacco sales ONLY at pharmacies 88%; 8,000 to 980 E No tobacco sales within 1km of any school 89%; 8,000 to 850 F Tobacco sales ONLY at half existing liquor 93%; 8,000 to 500 In termarms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population stores
Study condition A. Annual 10% tax increases B. No tobacco sales at alcohol on-licensed premises C. No tobacco sales within 500m of a high school D. Tobacco sales ONLY at pharmacies E. No tobacco sales within 1km of any school F. Tobacco sales ONLY at half existing liquor stores Policy perceived as effective, % Preventing youth initiation Supporting cessation * Score significantly higher than benchmark at p=0.05 ^ Score significantly lower than benchmark at p=0.05 Policy effectiveness scores, mean Preventing youth initiation Supporting cessation 41.2 59.8 1.81 2.08 102 29.8 47.1 1.52^ 1.82^ 104 36.9 33.0 1.66 1.53^ 103 58.7 62.5 2.32* 2.24 104 50.0 49.0 1.96 1.91 104 63.2 65.1 2.30* 2.12 106 n
How does this fit with other stakeholders perceptions? ultimately, I would like us to move towards the non-retail selling of tobacco where you end up providing tobacco through some other mechanism, either through potentially pharmacies or doctors or you could have one shop in each Territorial Authority that provides the tobacco. (Tobacco Control Expert #12) In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Tobacco retailers views If they said to us you re not selling cigarettes, no skin off my nose. Really. One less thing to stocktake less hassle I mean if they just set up like specialised sites where you could go and buy it, it doesn t bother me. (Service Station Manager) As long as they slowly phase it out... to suddenly take something off someone, I don t think is fair... why wouldn t we have the right to sell versus a dairy, or a liquor store, or a pub As long as it s fair across the board. (Supermarket Owner) In terms of UVR exposure, NZ Europeans represent a climatically displaced population
Smokers support International Tobacco Control Survey NZ 2009/10 62% smokers agreed (34% disagreed) with restricting tobacco sales to: Dedicated outlets where children are not allowed to go; Special places where quitting products are also sold Source: Edwards et al. (2012)
Oppose - Support Public and smokers support 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 Daily Smokers Occasional Smokers Former Smokers Never Smokers Total Sample No tobacco Shops selling Reducing the products sold within tobacco products number of stores Source: Whyte et In terms of 500 UVR meters exposure, of a NZ required Europeans to represent be selling a climatically tobacco displaced population al. (2014) school licensed products
Acknowledgements Funding: NZ Lottery Health, New Zealand Asthma Foundation, Cancer Society of New Zealand, and University of Otago. Collaborators: Louise Marsh, Janet Hoek, Rob McGee, Phil Gendall, Richard Edwards, Claire Cameron, Crile Doscher. Thank you to the smokers, tobacco retailers and tobacco control experts that have taken part in our research.