Duan Zongshuan, Romm Katelyn F, Henriksen Lisa, Schleicher Nina C, Johnson Trent O, Wagener Theodore L, Sussman Steven Y, Schillo Barbara A, Huang Jidong, Berg Carla J
Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 24;19(7):3855. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19073855.
Tobacco regulations and COVID-19 state orders have substantially impacted vape retail. This study assessed vape retailers' perspectives regarding regulations and future retail activities.
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.
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.
Surveillance of tobacco retail, consumer behavior, and regulatory compliance is warranted as policies regarding nicotine and cannabis continue evolving.
烟草法规和新冠疫情期间的州级命令对电子烟零售产生了重大影响。本研究评估了电子烟零售商对法规及未来零售活动的看法。
2021年3月至6月，美国六个大都市地区的60家电子烟或电子烟与烟草混合销售店的店主或经理（电子烟店34家，电子烟与烟草混合销售店26家）完成了一项在线调查，该调查评估：（1）当前和未来的促销策略及产品供应；（2）在联邦最低合法销售年龄（T21）政策、联邦调味电子烟禁令以及与新冠疫情相关命令方面的经历。对定量数据进行描述性分析；对开放式问题的定性回答进行主题分析。
大多数参与者拥有网站（65.0%），利用社交媒体进行促销（71.7%），提供路边取货服务（51.7%），并销售大麻二酚产品（例如，73.3%的电子烟产品，80.0%的其他产品）；许多人还销售其他烟草产品。对于联邦政策出台之前生效的州/地方法规，参与者的了解程度各不相同。参与者认为烟草法规和新冠疫情命令在某种程度上易于理解/实施，并且认为违规后果在某种程度上较为严重。定性主题表明，他们担心法规的负面影响（例如，销售/客户流失、客户转向可燃烟草产品）、证据基础不足、向客户解释法规的挑战以及对未来监管行动的担忧。
鉴于尼古丁和大麻政策不断演变，有必要对烟草零售、消费者行为和监管合规情况进行监测。
