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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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

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 ( n = 34 vs. n = 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongshuan Duan & Katelyn F. Romm & Lisa Henriksen & Nina C. Schleicher & Trent O. Johnson & Theodore L. Wagener & Steven Y. Sussman & Barbara A. Schillo & Jidong Huang & Carla J. Berg, 2022. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3855-:d:778397
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Riccardo Polosa & Pasquale Caponnetto & Fabio Cibella & Jacques Le-Houezec, 2015. "Quit and Smoking Reduction Rates in Vape Shop Consumers: A Prospective 12-Month Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Cheney, M. & Gowin, M. & Wann, T.F., 2015. "Marketing practices of vapor store owners," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(6), pages 16-21.
    3. Eric C. Leas & Natalie Moy & Sara B. McMenamin & Yuyan Shi & Tarik Benmarhnia & Matthew D. Stone & Dennis R. Trinidad & Martha White, 2021. "Availability and Promotion of Cannabidiol (CBD) Products in Online Vape Shops," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carla J. Berg & Albert Melena & Friedner D. Wittman & Tomas Robles & Lisa Henriksen, 2022. "The Reshaping of the E-Cigarette Retail Environment: Its Evolution and Public Health Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Zongshuan Duan & Yan Wang & Katelyn F. Romm & Lisa Henriksen & Nina C. Schleicher & Carla J. Berg, 2022. "State T21, Restrictions on Flavored E-Cigarette Products, and Non-Medical Cannabis Sales Legalization in Relation to Young Adult Reports of Vape Shop Age Verification and Product Offerings: A Multilev," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Yu Wang & Zongshuan Duan & Scott R. Weaver & Lucy Popova & Claire A. Spears & David L. Ashley & Terry F. Pechacek & Michael P. Eriksen & Jidong Huang, 2022. "Consumption of JUUL vs. Other E-Cigarette Brands among U.S. E-Cigarette Users: Evidence from Wave 5 of the PATH Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Elizabeth K. Do & Kathleen Aarvig & Emily M. Donovan & Barbara A. Schillo & Donna M. Vallone & Elizabeth C. Hair, 2023. "Underage Youth Continue to Obtain E-Cigarettes from Retail Sources in 2022: Evidence from the Truth Continuous Tracking Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-7, January.

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