- There are “no associations” between state-level tobacco and flavour restrictions and smoking and vaping rates
- There are “no clear patterns” that policy effects varied by age
- The way adolescents obtain cigarette and vapes has “shifted little” despite policy changes
- It is essential to “understand and mitigate” against these shortcomings, researchers say
U.S state tobacco and flavour bans have made no impact on the number of young people smoking or vaping, a new study has found.
The report, published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, looked at how Tobacco 21 (T21) laws, which prohibit cigarette sales to under 21s, and flavoured vape restrictions have affected youth smoking and vaping rates.
Using data from the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveys of 14 to 18+-year olds between 2011 and 2021, the study found “no associations” between T21 laws and tobacco use, or between flavour restrictions and vape use.
‘No evidence of associations’
It said: “Assessing cohorts of high school students through 2021, during a time of state and federal policy change and the COVID-19 pandemic, we found no evidence for associations between state-wide tobacco [and] flavour restrictions and the likelihood or level of cigarette, cigar, or ENDS use.
The study, led by professors at Boston College, found that only states with “strong T21 laws” had made any impact on reducing cigarette smoking among youth. These reductions corresponded with higher vape use, suggesting these young people were switching from cigarettes to safer vapes.
The report said: “While we also found no links between state T21 laws and the likelihood or level of cigarette use, when categorised based on policy components, strong T21 laws were associated with lower cigarette use. State T21 laws also were associated with higher ENDS use: specifically, weak T21 laws were associated with a higher likelihood of any use.”
Researchers also found the impact of T21 laws and flavour restrictions was no different across age groups.
No clear patterns of effects by age
It said: “There were no clear patterns that policy effects varied by age. Results for state T21 laws were consistent when the data [was] analysed through 2019, prior to flavour restrictions, federal policy changes, and the pandemic. These findings highlight that current policy efforts have not curbed the high levels of adolescent ENDS use. Understanding and mitigating their shortcomings are essential next steps.”
The report found that the way adolescents obtain cigarette and vapes has
“shifted little despite these policy changes”.
It added: “About half of adolescents report obtaining ENDS from social sources, with some evidence that policies restricting product access may shift adolescents from ENDS retail purchases to social sources.
“However, adolescents also report purchasing ENDS in retail shops despite restrictions, which has been attributed to retailers’ inconsistent implementation of and compliance with flavour and age restrictions.”
Current policies not sufficient
The study concluded: “..we have demonstrated that current policy efforts to curb adolescent tobacco use, particularly ENDS use, are not sufficient.
“However, follow up is needed to assess longer-term policy effects, particularly if additional states implement flavour restrictions and strengthen their T21 and flavour policies.
“Although most states have implemented state T21 laws, eight states have not and current laws vary widely in terms of recommended model components. Recent work is beginning to test the extent to which the strength of T21 laws influences use, but more research is needed.”
