The Impact of Recent Tobacco Regulations and COVID-19 Restrictions and Implications for Future E-Cigarette Retail: Perspectives from Vape and Vape-and-Smoke Shop Merchants

Authors

Zongshuan Duan, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Katelyn F. Romm, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Lisa Henriksen, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Nina C. Schleicher, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Trent O. Johnson, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Theodore L. Wagener, Center for Tobacco Research, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Steven Y. Sussman, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA.
Barbara A. Schillo, Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute, Washington, DC 20001, USA.
Jidong Huang, Department of Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-24-2022

Journal

International journal of environmental research and public health

Volume

19

Issue

7

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19073855

Keywords

COVID-19 orders; Tobacco 21; flavored e-cigarette ban; retail activities; tobacco regulations; vape shop; vape-and-smoke shop

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tobacco regulations and COVID-19 state orders have substantially impacted vape retail. This study assessed vape retailers' perspectives regarding regulations and future retail activities. METHODS: In March-June 2021, 60 owners or managers of vape or vape-and-smoke shops ( = 34 vs. = 26) in six US metropolitan areas completed an online survey assessing: (1) current and future promotional strategies and product offerings; and (2) experiences with federal minimum legal sales age (T21) policies, the federal flavored e-cigarette ban, and COVID-19-related orders. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively; qualitative responses to open-ended questions were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Most participants had websites (65.0%), used social media for promotion (71.7%), offered curbside pickup (51.7%), and sold CBD (e.g., 73.3% vape products, 80.0% other); many also sold other tobacco products. Knowledge varied regarding state/local policies in effect before federal policies. Participants perceived tobacco regulations and COVID-19 orders as somewhat easy to understand/implement and perceived noncompliance consequences as somewhat severe. Qualitative themes indicated concerns regarding regulations' negative impacts (e.g., sales/customer loss, customers switching to combustibles), insufficient evidence base, challenges explaining regulations to customers, and concerns about future regulatory actions. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance of tobacco retail, consumer behavior, and regulatory compliance is warranted as policies regarding nicotine and cannabis continue evolving.

APA Citation

Duan, Zongshuan; Romm, Katelyn F.; Henriksen, Lisa; Schleicher, Nina C.; Johnson, Trent O.; Wagener, Theodore L.; Sussman, Steven Y.; Schillo, Barbara A.; Huang, Jidong; and Berg, Carla J., "The Impact of Recent Tobacco Regulations and COVID-19 Restrictions and Implications for Future E-Cigarette Retail: Perspectives from Vape and Vape-and-Smoke Shop Merchants" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 548.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/548

Department

Prevention and Community Health