Join us for this webinar, presented by Professor Ruth Malone.
A substantial literature shows that proximity to and/or higher density of tobacco retailers is associated with daily smoking, reduced cessation success for people trying to quit tobacco, more youth initiation of tobacco use, and negative health outcomes. Widespread availability normalizes tobacco and contributes to toxic environmental pollution from cigarette filters and other waste. Substantial retail reduction was an important part of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s previous pathbreaking Smokefree 2025 Plan. Globally, several policy approaches to reducing retailers have been used or proposed. Drawing on a newly published report on “forward-looking measures,” this webinar will describe these policies, their advantages and potential challenges, and their potential impacts. All retail reduction measures make material changes in the social visibility and availability of tobacco products for the population as a whole. Considerations for how to implement retail reduction policies in ways that may cause least disruption for small retailers will be discussed.
Ruth Malone is a Professor Emerita at UCSF and a leading scholar on the tobacco industry and policy strategies to end the commercial tobacco epidemic. Her recent research examined tobacco retail policy innovations, including restricting sales through state-run systems and exploring “tobacco-free generation” approaches, with a strong focus on reducing health disparities. She served as editor-in-chief of Tobacco Control from 2009 to 2023 and continues to advise national and international health agencies.
Registration: To join the webinar, please register in advance and a personal log-in link will be sent to you.
Contact: If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at aspire.aotearoa@otago.ac.nz
Please note: ASPIRE Aotearoa seminars, webinars and other events are not open to individuals working with or for any tobacco or vaping company, or who are affiliated to the tobacco or vaping industries in any way. Nor are they open to any individuals or groups who have interests in or relationships with tobacco or vaping companies, including, but not limited to, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) and its successor, Global Action to End Smoking, and their grantees. ASPIRE Aotearoa events are opportunities for civil and respectful discussions of research. We recognise diverse views on topics may exist; however, these events are not open to individuals who abuse those holding views that differ from their own.