Diffusion of Tobacco 21 policy in U.S. cities

Reducing youth tobacco initiation continues to be a focus in the overall efforts to decrease the tobacco use prevalence in communities.  With over 50% of youth ages 18 and under having tried a cigarette, public health professionals turn to policy interventions to restrict access.  One tobacco regulation that is currently being adopted in over 50 municipalities around the country is a policy that restricts the minimum sale age of tobacco to 21 years.

This study examines the diffusion of Tobacco 21 policies, tracking the mechanisms that are influencing how the policy is moving from city to city and into different states. In communities that have proposed or enacted Tobacco 21 policies, media communications around the policy are examined, coding for themes and message framing. In addition, surveys with early adopters (bill sponsors, policymakers, and advocates/coalition members) of Tobacco 21 policies provide data to evaluate the strength of the ordinance, the coalition, and opposition; determine geographical location and federalism policy factors; and identify initial reasons for the policy proposal.  This research, on a cutting edge tobacco regulation policy, is the first of its kind and gives insights into why policy diffusion is occurring and the political forces that facilitate that diffusion.