Online Program

332240
Improving Health in Diverse Communities via Retailers' Compliance with Tobacco Regulatory Policies


Wednesday, November 4, 2015 : 8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, PhD, MPH, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Claradina Soto, PhD, MPH, Keck School of Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jimi Huh, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Tess Cruz, PhD, MPH, CHES, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Chih Ping Chou, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Sheila Murphy, PhD, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Luanne Rohrbach, PhD MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Robert Garcia, MPH, ATC, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Kacie Blackman, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Health Behavior, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Patricia Escobedo, M.A., Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Health Behavior, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Karina Dominguez Gonzales, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Yaneth Rodriguez, MPH, Institute for Prevention Research & Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tobacco Education & Materials Lab (TEAM Lab) University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Rosa Barahona, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Rhonda Ragab, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, USC TEAM Lab, Los Angeles, CA
Christopher Castro, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Steve Sussman, PhD, FAAHB, FAPA, Institute for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Avoidable tobacco related disparities exist among vulnerable populations. These disparities can be traced, in part, to disproportioniate marketing and promotion of tobacco products in retail environments frequented by ethnic/racial groups (African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic/Latinos and Korean Americans). Tobacco regulatory messages are not always communicated in the most culturally effective ways. This study presents data from eight focus groups and a survey conducted with key community opinion leaders (KOL) from diverse communities (n=70). Using a mixed methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) we present empirical data on awareness and attitudes regarding federal tobacco policies, perceptions of the FDA retailer's educational campaign, on the role of KOLs as potential allies for delivering tobacco policy messages, and on perceptions of tobacco shop density and compliance in vulnerable communities. Our finding show a majority of KOLs felt there was an excess of tobacco retailers in their communities. More than half of KOLs (53%) perceived retailers to be somewhat to moderately compliant with tobacco policies, but 55% believed retailers were not fully aware of FDA tobacco regulation, implemented as a result of the Family Protection and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. We present strategies to improve cultual and language specific regulatory messages and modes of delivery to increase compliance among retailers, prevent uptake and resulting nicotine addiction by vulnerable populations. KOLs are an underutilized resource with the potential to aid in compliance and enforcement of tobacco policies. KOLs may be key for successes in compliance and policies that impact health equity in vulnerable populations.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe strategies for increasing compliance with tobacco regulation in vulnerable ethnic communities. Identify the important role of key community opinion leaders in engaging vulnerable communities to reduce tobacco related disparities. Assess strategies to improve communication of tobacco regulation and policies in culturally proficient and language specific ways to reduce disparities in tobacco preventino efforts at the community level.

Keyword(s): Tobacco Use, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the pre-doctoral Trainee for the USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science. Most of my work has been in tobacco control and with the use of community based methods.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.