Tobacco Advertising and ID Checks in Columbus,Ohio,in Advance of Tobacco 21

Abstract

Purpose:

In autumn 2017, Columbus, Ohio, joined numerous other US locations in raising their legal sales age for purchasing tobacco to 21 (ie, becoming “T21”). The present study sought to establish a baseline for ID checks in Columbus prior to T21 enforcement and to examine whether store type and marketing were associated with better rates of ID checks.

Design:

Fieldworkers aged 20 to 21 years visited a random sample of 110 tobacco retailers during summer 2017 (drawn from >10 000 licensed retailers in the county). After collecting store-related information, they attempted to purchase cigarettes and recorded whether their ID was checked (federal law requires ID checks for anyone who looks younger than 27 years).

Setting:

Columbus, Ohio.

Measures:

Store type, external tobacco advertising, and ID check outcome.

Analysis:

Descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

Among stores where cigarettes were purchased, 61.1% did not conduct ID checks. Absent ID checks were associated with the store being a convenience store or tobacco shop, χ²(2) = 4.45, P = .035, and having a greater amount of external advertising, t(93) = 2.00, P = .049.

Conclusion:

Overall, the low rate of ID checks for young adults purchasing tobacco in Columbus is concerning. Continued monitoring of retailer compliance will be important as retailers adjust to the arrival of T21. Targeted enforcement and additional outreach with tobacco shops, convenience stores, and stores with a high amount of external advertising may be particularly needed.