Tobacco Product Regulation and Tobacco Industry Interference

BackgroundBeginning in the 1960s in the USA and globally since 1998, tobacco companies have beenaggressively promoting heated tobacco products (HTP). In 2016, Philip Morris International (PMI) applied to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking authorisation to market their IQOS HTP system and flavoured ‘HeatSticks’ in the USA as a modified-risk tobacco product (MRTP).MethodsWe systematically evaluated the publicly available data PMI submitted to FDA in its MRTP application to determine whether PMI’s IQOS product meets the US Tobacco Control Act’s standard for MRTP claims. We examined whether PMI provided sufficient data showing tobacco users will not initiate with IQOS, that youth will not misperceive the MRTP-related claims being made concerning IQOS, and how youth perceive health risks associated with IQOS.ResultsPMI’s own studies failed to provide evidence that youth, including non-users and former users, will not find IQOS appealing, will not initiate use of IQOS and will not perceive these products as risk-free. Further, PMI did not refer to independent studies conducted among adolescents which could influence their conclusions. Finally, their studies suffered from design and implementation flaws and cannot be relied on to support the proffered claims.ConclusionPMI’s own data and available evidence from scientific studies conducted independent of the tobacco industry regarding how novel tobacco products are currently being marketed suggest that introduction of IQOS will result in adolescent and young adult non-users initiating tobacco use with IQOS and could also increase poly-use of IQOS along with other tobacco products.

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Effects of Ingredients on Cigarette Smoke Composition and Biological Activity: A Literature Overview

Beiträge zur Tabakforschung International/Contributions to Tobacco Research ◽

10.2478/cttr-2013-0736 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 107-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

T Paschke ◽

G Scherer ◽

WD Heller

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Tobacco Industry ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Scientific Review ◽

Pyrolysis Products ◽

Literature Overview ◽

Scientific Papers ◽

Public Health Officials ◽

Mainstream Cigarette Smoke

AbstractThis paper presents a literature review of published scientific studies of the effects of tobacco product ingredients and various experimental additives on cigarette smoke composition and its biological activity. The format of this work is that of an uncommented reference paper rather than a critical scientific review. Therefore, the mention of an ingredient in this survey does not imply that it is used by the tobacco industry or that it is covered by any existing national regulations. A broad range of scientific papers and patents on tobacco ingredients is included as well as studies on experimental ingredients. This review may provide public health officials as well as scientists in government agencies and in the tobacco industry with a helpful overview of published information on tobacco product ingredients, their transfer into mainstream cigarette smoke, pyrolysis products, and influence on the biological activity of mainstream cigarette smoke.

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An Analysis of Small Retailers' Relationships with Tobacco Companies in 4 US Cities

Tobacco Regulatory Science ◽

10.18001/trs.6.1.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 3-14

Author(s):

Heather D'Angelo ◽

Guadalupe X. Ayala ◽

Joel Gittelsohn ◽

Melissa N. Laska ◽

Lesley Schmidt Sindberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Financial Incentives ◽

Tobacco Industry ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Lower Income ◽

Tobacco Company ◽

Food Stores ◽

Menthol Cigarette ◽

Marketing Materials ◽

Us Cities ◽

Cigarette Prices

Objective: In this study, we examined small food store retailers' perspectives on tobacco company agreements specifying tobacco product display and promotion. Methods: We interviewed owners/managers of small food stores (N = 63) in lower-income neighborhoods in 4 US cities using open-and closed-ended questions between October 2013 and July 2014. We coded qualitative interview data and calculated descriptive statistics. Results: Most retailers had a formal contract with a tobacco company (87%). Retailers perceived that tobacco products generated low profits, but were important to attract customers. Nearly 95% with contracts reported receiving an incentive, including marketing materials (86.8%), displays (79%), and free/discounted products (50.9%). Contract requirements included placing branded displays and marketing materials in prime locations and setting cigarette prices. Retailers in urban, African-American neighborhoods felt pressure to maintain menthol cigarette contracts to stay in business. Conclusion: Contracts with tobacco companies were common among the small food stores in this study, and retailers felt they needed the contracts to keep prices competitive. Given the reliance of retailers on tobacco industry contracts, states and localities may need to adopt measures to counter their effects, especially the financial incentives that lead to lower cigarette prices and more prominent displays of promotions and marketing materials.

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Heated tobacco product regulation under US law and the FCTC

Tobacco Control ◽

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2018-054560 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. s118-s125 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lauren Kass Lempert ◽

Stanton A Glantz

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Product Labelling ◽

Tobacco Products ◽

Control Laws ◽

The Public ◽

Philip Morris ◽

Product Regulation ◽

The Usa

Tobacco companies are marketing new ‘heated tobacco products’ (HTPs) composed of battery-powered holders, chargers and tobacco plugs or sticks. The non-tobacco HTP components have escaped effective regulation under many countries’ tobacco control laws because they are packaged and sold separately from the tobacco-containing components. In the USA, HTPs cannot be marketed unless the Food and Drug Administration determines that allowing their sale would be ‘appropriate for the protection of the public health’. Philip Morris International (PMI) is seeking permission to market its IQOS HTP in the USA with ‘modified risk tobacco product’ (MRTP) claims that it reduces exposure to harmful substances and is less harmful than other tobacco products. However, PMI has not submitted adequate scientific evidence required by US law to demonstrate that the product is significantly less harmful to users than other tobacco products, that its labelling would not mislead consumers, or that its marketing—with or without MRTP claims—would benefit the health of the population as a whole. Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) must take measures to reduce tobacco use and nicotine addiction, and prevent false or misleading tobacco product labelling, advertising and promotions; the introduction of new HTPs must be assessed according to these goals. All components of HTPs should be regulated at least as stringently as existing tobacco products, including restrictions on labelling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, sales to minors, price and taxation policies and smokefree measures. There is nothing in US law or the FCTC that prevents authorities from prohibiting HTPs.

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Uncovering TAPS strategies of the tobacco industry at PoS in low- and middle-income countries: the case of Turkey

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 996-1001

Author(s):

Fatih Uznay ◽

Sevtap Gumus

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Industry ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Tobacco Products ◽

Middle Income ◽

Face To Face ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Survey Form ◽

Margin Of Error ◽

Product Displays ◽

The City

Abstract Background This study aims to uncover strategies executed by the tobacco industry against tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) bans at points of sale (PoS) in Turkey. Methods The data are based on a field study conducted in the city of Izmir. There are 10 750 PoS in all of Izmir; the 6200 PoS in the 11 central districts were considered as potential subjects. Using a proportional sampling method (95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error), it was calculated that 384 PoS could adequately represent the whole. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with PoS administrators, using survey form consisting of 53 questions. Descriptive statistics methods have been used to analyze the data. Results Of a total of 384 PoS visited; 96.4% featured at least one type of display/TAPS ban violation, 94.5% featured display settings creating brand dominance on display units, 76.7% received promotional payments and 14.8% received free tobacco products for featured display settings. Additionally, 29.2% of PoS had tobacco product displays visible from outside, 26.8% sold tobacco products on the counter, 24.7% featured advertising items on display units, 19.3% sold tobacco products as single stick and 11.7% had price tags with fonts larger than the legally fixed 20 pt. Conclusions An official institution specializing in tobacco control must be established to continually inspect the tobacco market. Tobacco products must stay hidden, in closed cupboards or under the counter, and communication between PoS and tobacco industry must be limited. In addition, tobacco products must be distributed by government institutions rather than the industry.

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Using market data to understand corporate behaviour

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1304 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

R Hiscock

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Control ◽

Tobacco Industry ◽

National Level ◽

Control Policy ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Tobacco Control Policy ◽

Market Data ◽

Tobacco Taxes ◽

Level Statistics ◽

Product Sales

Abstract Background Tobacco companies sell tobacco in order to invest in the business and make profits for shareholders. One element in creating profitability is via data driven marketing. Such data are also useful for public health because an understanding of pricing and sales patterns can help with the development of effective tobacco control methods by understanding how the tobacco industry is making profits. Methods Study 1) Public and commercial databases which provide free or paywalled access to market data were identified. Internet searches were conducted to understand more about their ownership, mission of the owners, funding and accessibility Study 2) University of Bath studies using such datasets to understand the tobacco industry were reviewed to synergise the ways in which corporate behaviour has undermined tobacco control policy. Results The United Nations provides freely accessible national level statistics on imports and exports of raw tobacco and manufactured tobacco products. Limited survey data may be available on the last product smoked. Proprietary databases are expensive, may have usage restrictions and links to the tobacco industry but can provide a detailed picture of tobacco product sales and prices. Research on such databases has illustrated how the tobacco industry kept cheap tobacco available despite tobacco taxes, used tax rises to increase their own revenue and used a standardised packaging sell through period to keep branded packs on the market for longer. Conclusions Governments should require the tobacco industry to provide market data in an easily publishable form Key messages The most detailed data on the tobacco market is proprietary. Proprietary databases are expensive, may have usage restrictions and links to the tobacco industry. Understanding of pricing and sales patterns can help with evaluating the effectiveness of tobacco control policy.

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