Stakeholder’s Perspectives on Access to Tobacco products in Tennessee:  Implications for Policy and Practice

Authors' Affiliations

Florence Weierbach M., College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Christen Minnick, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Adeola Ayo, Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Rafie Boghazian, Department of Chemistry, Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN Fawaz Mzayek, Department of Epidemiology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN Liz Johnson, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN Jacob Black, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN Terry Hinton, Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Location

D.P. Culp Center Room 304

Start Date

4-5-2024 3:30 PM

End Date

4-5-2024 4:30 PM

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Hadii Mamudu

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Health Services Management and Policy

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Introduction: The Tobacco Nation states have a life expectancy of 76 years, compared to 79 years for residents in the rest of the country.  Tennessee is one of the tobacco nation states and has a higher prevalence of tobacco use at 18.5% when compared to the US at 11.6%. Tobacco use in Tennessee accounts for a significant portion of public health concerns, contributing to a range of preventable diseases and health complications. In 2023, as part of efforts to reduce this burden, we supported the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) in developing a 5-year strategic plan for tobacco control. As part of a larger study, we explored the perspectives of stakeholders across Tennessee on the accessibility of tobacco products.    Methods: The snowball method was used to recruit participants. Informed consent was obtained prior to the semi-structured interviews, including demographic questions. The focus of the interviews was on tobacco use and prevention. Interviews lasted between 30-45 minutes via Zoom or physical meetings. Interviews were de-identified and transcribed using professional transcription services. Transcripts were uploaded into Atlas.ti, a qualitative analysis software. Inductive coding was employed. Themes were identified from codes and grouped according to subject matter.    Results :12 Participants from Tennessee were interviewed, with the majority female. residing in Two themes were identified: ‘access to tobacco products’ and ‘potential barriers to effective implementation of the program’. A significant number of participants suggested that the potential hindrance associated with the program's implementation could be preemption. This was followed by a few more participants suggesting the barriers could be associated with people’s perception of tobacco and their freedom not being tampered with. Another consideration for the participants was access to tobacco products. Participants discussed tax increases and regulations addressing the age of purchase for tobacco products as an effective way to reduce access, especially for minors. Conclusion: A robust and comprehensive tobacco control program can be established with measures to restrict access and remove potential barriers, including increasing taxes, enforcing regulation, especially on age restrictions, repealing preemptions and  intensifying educational campaigns to reduce the erroneous perception of tobacco use among Tennesseans will be appropriate.

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Apr 5th, 3:30 PM Apr 5th, 4:30 PM

Stakeholder’s Perspectives on Access to Tobacco products in Tennessee:  Implications for Policy and Practice

D.P. Culp Center Room 304

Introduction: The Tobacco Nation states have a life expectancy of 76 years, compared to 79 years for residents in the rest of the country.  Tennessee is one of the tobacco nation states and has a higher prevalence of tobacco use at 18.5% when compared to the US at 11.6%. Tobacco use in Tennessee accounts for a significant portion of public health concerns, contributing to a range of preventable diseases and health complications. In 2023, as part of efforts to reduce this burden, we supported the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) in developing a 5-year strategic plan for tobacco control. As part of a larger study, we explored the perspectives of stakeholders across Tennessee on the accessibility of tobacco products.    Methods: The snowball method was used to recruit participants. Informed consent was obtained prior to the semi-structured interviews, including demographic questions. The focus of the interviews was on tobacco use and prevention. Interviews lasted between 30-45 minutes via Zoom or physical meetings. Interviews were de-identified and transcribed using professional transcription services. Transcripts were uploaded into Atlas.ti, a qualitative analysis software. Inductive coding was employed. Themes were identified from codes and grouped according to subject matter.    Results :12 Participants from Tennessee were interviewed, with the majority female. residing in Two themes were identified: ‘access to tobacco products’ and ‘potential barriers to effective implementation of the program’. A significant number of participants suggested that the potential hindrance associated with the program's implementation could be preemption. This was followed by a few more participants suggesting the barriers could be associated with people’s perception of tobacco and their freedom not being tampered with. Another consideration for the participants was access to tobacco products. Participants discussed tax increases and regulations addressing the age of purchase for tobacco products as an effective way to reduce access, especially for minors. Conclusion: A robust and comprehensive tobacco control program can be established with measures to restrict access and remove potential barriers, including increasing taxes, enforcing regulation, especially on age restrictions, repealing preemptions and  intensifying educational campaigns to reduce the erroneous perception of tobacco use among Tennesseans will be appropriate.