Improving Retailer Compliance for Tobacco Purchases: Pilot Study Findings

Compliance Checks Decrease Cigarette Sales Rates to Pseudo-Underaged Mystery Shoppers: A Quasi-Experimental Control Group Study

To control adherence to age limits regarding sales of tobacco products, Swedish authorities can conduct compliance checks. Compliance checks involve prior information to all retailers, mystery shopping, and subsequent feedback to the retailers. This study investigated whether compliance checks can decrease the rates of cigarette sales to underaged adolescents. Test purchases of cigarettes were conducted using pseudo-underaged mystery shoppers, i.e., 18-year-old adolescents with a younger appearance not carrying ID, to measure the refusal rate and rate of ID checks. Test purchases were conducted at 257 retail outlets in 13 municipalities in Stockholm County at baseline 2017 and follow-up 2019, respectively. In between the measurements, six municipalities (intervention area) conducted compliance checks, and seven municipalities were used as a comparison. Comparing baseline and follow-up, rates of refusal (70.4 to 95.8%) and ID checks (80.3 to 95.8%) improved in the intervention area. In the comparison area, refusal rates increased (80.9 to 85.2%), and ID check rates remained stable (at 86.1%). Significant group × time interaction effects reveal that the rates of refusal and ID checks differently changed in the study areas over time. These results indicate that compliance checks are an effective method to decrease cigarette sales to underaged adolescents.

Natural Observation of Alcohol Price and Promotions at Bars: Implications for Alcohol Misuse Prevention

Alcohol misuse among young adults remains a primary public health concern given the wide range of short- and long-term physical, social, and societal consequences of the behavior. On-premise drinking establishments, which allow alcohol consumption on site (i.e., bars), are frequent locations for young adult alcohol use. Risks for alcohol misuse within the bar setting are key factors to identify for prevention. Notably, alcohol price and promotions are associated with alcohol consumption among young adults. This study sought to develop and pilot test an observational protocol to assess the alcohol environment at on-premise drinking establishments. Following qualitative exploration of salient risk factors in these settings through focus groups with young adults, an observational tool was adapted and tested in a feasibility study. The refined tool was then pilot tested with two independent data collectors conducting natural observation at 13 establishments in the downtown nightlife district of a small, southeastern city. High interrater reliability was noted. Descriptive summary statistics of bar characteristics demonstrate low alcohol prices with variability across types of alcohol (e.g., beer, wine, and liquor), greater numbers of alcohol promotions inside rather than outside the building, and higher rates of manual versus electronic age verification procedures. Observational assessment of alcohol price and marketing at on-premise drinking establishments as described in this study is needed to inform prevention policy and programs to reduce harms associated with young adult alcohol misuse.