 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Marla-Lee Blagg, DC, Public Health Department, Tobacco Control Program, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, 1000 Broadway, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94607, 510-208-5921, mblagg@co.alameda.ca.us
Introduction/Objective: To identify the prevalence rate of Counterfeit Cigarette Tax Stamps in Alameda County Methodology included a non-purposeful random sample at tobacco alcohol retailers in the San Francisco Bay area (Alameda County - east bay) in California. The sample size was approximately 3%. Early results have demonstrated that approximately 27% of the retailers surveyed had black market or counterfeit tobacco products on their store shelves. A follow-up survey will be conducted with the board of equalization and local police departments, sweeping over 5 cities in the bay area. A comparative analysis will be completed to determine if patterns of prevalence occur between different types of retailers (alcohol/tobacco/gas station/grocery store, etc.)and if the prevalence varies geographically within the surveying areas. This activity is a coordinated effort between the local public health department, state board of equalization, local enforcement, county district attorney, community tobacco control advocates, city and county administration. The Public Health Department in collaboration with the board of equalization assessing what the economic impact of counterfeit products may have on local and state governments by avoiding paying the state tobacco taxes.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Advocacy, Tobacco Control
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.