Restricting Sales of Menthol Tobacco Products: Lessons Learned from Policy Passage and Implementation in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, Minnesota.

Linda M Bosma,John H Kingsbury,Betsy Brock,Chris Matter,Joanne Moze,Joanne D'Silva

doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0137

Abstract

Purpose: Commercial tobacco products have historically been target marketed to African American, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities, as well as to youth. Menthol cigarettes increase smoking initiation and decrease smoking cessation, particularly among African Americans who smoke menthol cigarettes at higher rates than their white peers. Due to disproportionate tobacco-related health consequences for members of these communities, effective tobacco control policies that restrict availability of menthol products by focusing on retail sales are an important element of addressing health disparities, and require policy efforts informed by leadership and the voice of communities most impacted. This study examines the organizing efforts of three successful policy initiatives in 2017–2018 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, Minnesota, and identifies facilitators and barriers of these campaigns.Methods: We conducted 50 key informant interviews with city council/staff, advocates, and community members and analyzed them for emerging themes. The analysis employed a process-oriented qualitative matrix process to identify emerging themes and divergent perspectives.Results: Following policy implementation, outlets selling commercial menthol tobacco products substantially decreased. Facilitators included strong city council support, leadership from impacted communities, community awareness-building campaigns, and understanding tobacco industry counter-tactics. Challenges included the need to counter tobacco industry misinformation and retailer attempts to circumvent the intent of restrictions.Conclusion: Well-planned advocacy campaigns led by community members most impacted by commercial tobacco can overcome opposition and challenges to restrict sales of menthol tobacco products and successfully reduce availability of these products in their communities.

Highlights

Purpose: Commercial tobacco products have historically been target marketed to African American, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities, as well as to youth
These policies resulted from robust community engagement, policy advocacy, and educational campaigns. These campaigns were led by members of African American, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities, which are the communities most impacted by menthol tobacco-related disparities and youth advocates
Advocates in each city developed unique organizing campaigns specific to local conditions.[18]. Ordinances in these three cities restricting the sale of menthol tobacco products to adult-only tobacco shops

Summary

Introduction

In 2017–2018, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth became the first three Minnesota cities to pass policies restricting the sale of menthol-, mint-, and wintergreenflavored commercial{ tobacco products to adult-only tobacco shops,{ and, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, liquor stores. These policies resulted from robust community engagement, policy advocacy, and educational campaigns. These campaigns were led by members of African American, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities, which are the communities most impacted by menthol tobacco-related disparities and youth advocates. As interest in policy action on menthol tobacco gains momentum,[1] more information is needed on elements that contribute to successful campaigns

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