Counter Tobacco Podcast

In this episode, we talk about nicotine pouches like "Zyn" and other so-called "modern" oral nicotine products, how they are being marketed and sold in the retail environment, and options for regulating this small but rapidly growing product segment, with concerns about youth initiation in mind.

Endgame strategies have been defined as, "initiatives designed to change/eliminate permanently the structural, political, and social dynamics that sustain the tobacco epidemic, in order to end it within a specific time," and moving towards the endgame means, "moving beyond tobacco control (which assumes the continued presence of tobacco as a common, widely-available ordinary consumer product) toward a tobacco-free future wherein commercial tobacco products would be phased out or their use and availability significantly restricted." [1] This episode describes what the "endgame" means for commercial tobacco control, the range of strategies it could involve, how point-of-sale policies can play a role in it, and highlights some examples of places that are already implementing endgame policies.

In this episode, we talk with Natasha Phelps, a Lead Senior Staff Attorney at the Public Health Law Center, about the recent statement on "Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Enforcement of Commercial Tobacco Control" that was released last year by a consortium of public health organizations. We take a deeper dive into that statement, discussing the values outlined in it as well as some practical ways to translate those values into action.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Amanda Kong, one of the authors of a recent paper "Boosting the Tobacco Control Vaccine: recognizing the role of the retail environment in addressing tobacco use and disparities." We discuss how key retail strategies, including addressing product availability, pricing and promotions, advertising and display, the minimum age of sale, and retail licensure can complement those in the original Tobacco Control Vaccine (price increases, smoke-free policies, hard hitting media campaigns, and cessation access) and help work towards an "end game" for commercial tobacco in the United States.

This episode is all about working towards health equity with point-of-sale tobacco control. We'll discuss some of the drivers behind inequities in tobacco use and related morbidities and mortality, and how we can use a pro-equity approach to plan, implement, and enforce policies that allow all individuals and all communities a fair and just opportunity to achieve their greatest level of health.

On Your Radar' is a new episode format designed to put the most relevant and recent news stories and research on countering tobacco product sales, promotions, and marketing in the retail environment on your radar. This episode spotlights flavor bans. From the West Coast (California) to the Midwest (Edina and Fridley, MN & Chicago, IL), we've got you covered on the most recent news surrounding restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco products.

"On Your Radar" is a new episode format, where we release two mini-episodes – one halfway through the month, one at the end of the month – that provide you with the most recent and relevant news stories and research on countering tobacco product sales, promotions, and marketing in the retail environment. Listen to Part 2 to learn what has happened in point-of-sale tobacco control in the second half of August 2020.

"On Your Radar" is a new episode format, where we release two mini-episodes - one halfway through the month, one at the end of the month - that provide you with the most recent and relevant news stories and research on countering tobacco product sales, promotions, and marketing in the retail environment. Listen to Part 1 to learn what has happened in point-of-sale tobacco control in the beginning of August.

This episode is designed to answer all your questions about heated tobacco products, or as the industry refers to them, "heat-not-burn" products. This episode covers their design and safety, assesses their marketing and current regulation, examines a bit of the newer research and literature on the products, explains the FDA's 'modified risk' label authorization for the IQOS Heated Tobacco System, and considers policy options moving forward.

This episode is the first in what we hope will be a new series called, 'Authentic Voices', where we speak with individuals in communities across the US to hear how their lived experiences and interactions in the retail environment impacted their journey with tobacco. In this episode, we speak with Shaun Pryor, a Chicago-native and Oklahoma-transplant who is an outspoken advocate against Big Tobacco and the manipulative tactics they use to lure youth and customers of all ages. We discuss his journey from smoking to quitting to advocacy and action, and touch on the industry's targeting of Black communities and the ways we can make lasting change in tobacco control. An extended video version will be available on Youtube later in July.