Overview. This paper will assess state legislative activity designed to restrict minors' access to tobacco products by: (1) examining the extent to which states have enacted provisions included in the 1996 FDA final rule on this topic; (2) creating a composite measure of extensiveness based on legislative activity within each state; (3) identifying the principle political, historical, social, and environmental correlates of legislative activity in this area.
Data presented in this paper were obtained from the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database Program. The analyses reflect laws enacted as of December 31, 1998.
Principle Findings. State laws designed to restrict minors' access to tobacco products do not meet the criteria for comprehensiveness nor do they reflect most of the provisions contained in the FDA final rule. Should the Supreme Court decide that the FDA does not have statutory authority to regulate the nicotine in tobacco as a drug, state legislatures will have to play "catch up" to enact laws that will aid in combatting this problem.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: (1) identify the variation in the enactment of state laws designed to restrict minors' access to tobacco; and (2) summarize the extent to which the state laws meet the provisions of the FDA final rule on this topic
Keywords: Tobacco Legislation, Youth Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NCI's State Cancer Legislative Database
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Contract