Industry Influence

There are major gaps in our understanding of how the tobacco industry influences state and local policy and how the state, local jurisdictions and communities might act to limit this influence.

Through price manipulation and predatory marketing campaigns, the industry continues to recruit and retain smokers — particularly within priority populations such as youth and communities of color. Scientifically documenting industry practices in these communities is critical to raising public awareness and informing tobacco control policies.

The tobacco industry remains very active in lobbying the California legislature to block tobacco control bills aimed at strengthening indoor smoking regulations or regulating ENDS and other new products. At city and county levels, the tobacco industry's influence needs to be more fully understood. Research is also needed on the tobacco industry's contributions to non-profit organizations, including environmental groups, civil rights organizations, private and public schools, civic, cultural, advocacy organizations and the hospitality industry.

The tobacco industry's growing interest and ownership within the expanding electronic cigarette market needs thorough research. Some predict that when large tobacco companies fully enter the market, e-cigarette sales, advertising and usage will increase markedly. Tobacco and nicotine researchers should be poised to assess the impact that this will have on regular cigarette use and its context.

Examples of relevant research topics include:

• The role of the tobacco industry in affecting local policies and ordinances
• The tobacco industry's contributions to non-profit organizations and their effect on organizational policies and programs
• The tobacco industry's influence in our public schools, civic, cultural, advocacy organizations, and the hospitality industry
• The tobacco industry's role in maintaining smoking in Indian gaming casinos
• Evaluation of community efforts to blunt the activities of the tobacco industry
• The retail environment and marketing tactics
• E-cigarette promotion and marketing
• The health and economic outcomes attributable to tobacco control ordinances
• The impact of trade agreements on tobacco regulation and control