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Institute Policies Concerning Cigarette Vending Machines

Description of Strategy

Vending machines potentially provide unrestricted cigarette access to minors. Policymakers, researchers, and citizens recognize the need to limit minors’ access to tobacco by restricting the sale of cigarettes through vending machines (Forester, Hourigan, & Kelder, 1992). Restrictions can include banning the sale of tobacco in vending machines or installing vending machine lockout devices. As of June 22, 2010, federal law prohibits vending machines or self-service sales of tobacco products except in places where minors under 18 years of age are not allowed to enter (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2012).

Wyoming permits the sale of cigarettes in vending machines if the machine is located in a place where persons under the age of 18 are not permitted access or in a place of business, office, or factory that is not open to the general public (Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-303, 2017).

Discussion of Effectiveness

Tobacco

Evidence supports the effectiveness of instituting policies concerning vending machines to decrease cigarette sales to minors. Evidence suggests vending machine bans are more effective than locking devices (Foster, Hourigan, & Kelder, 1992).

References

Strategy Description

Foster, J., Hourigan, M., Kelder, S. (1992). Locking devices on cigarette vending machines: Evaluation of a city ordinance. American Journal of Public Health, 82, 1217-1219.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2012). Regulations restricting the sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Retrieved September 7, 2012

Wyoming Statute Annotated § 14-3-303 (2012). Retrieved October 16, 2017

Evidence Base

DiFranza, J., Savageau, J. and Aisquith, B. (1996). Youth access to tobacco: The effects of age, gender, vending machine locks, and “It’s the Law” programs. American Journal of Public Health, 86, 221-224.

Foster, J., Hourigan, M., Kelder, S. (1992). Locking devices on cigarette vending machines: Evaluation of a city ordinance. American Journal of Public Health, 82, 1217-1219.

Hublet, A., Schmid, H., Clays, E., Godeau, E., Gabhainn, S. N., Joossens, L., … the HBSC Research Network.(2009). Association between tobacco control policies and smoking behaviour among adolescents in 29 European countries. Addiction, 104(11), 1918–1926. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02686.x

Stead, L. F., & Lancaster, T. (2005). Interventions for preventing tobacco sales to minors. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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