A Longitudinal Analysis of Cigarette Prices in Military Retail Outlets

Haddock, C. Keith; Hyder, Melissa L.; Poston, Walker S. Carlos; Jahnke, Sara A.; Williams, Larry; Lando, Harry A.

doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301660

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, even prices in compliance with policy might give purchasers a >5% discount because exchange sales are not subject to state or local sales taxes. We previously argued that a common minimum (or floor) shelf price for tobacco products should be set for exchanges by a committee including medical/health promotion personnel and that a consistent community comparison, such as the nearest Walmart, be used and we continue to support those recommendations 2 7 8…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Marlboro cigarette packs were chosen as the index brand because they account for ∼44% of the domestic market, outsell the next 11 brands combined, traditionally have been heavily marketed to the military and were the index brand for our previous research 7 8…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We demonstrated over a 2-year period that the military sells tobacco at prices substantially lower than a national discounter (Walmart) 7 8. This is partly due to pricing based on the ambiguously defined most competitive commercial community price,5 which has been interpreted in a variety of ways 7 8.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…This is partly due to pricing based on the ambiguously defined most competitive commercial community price,5 which has been interpreted in a variety of ways 7 8. For example, price comparisons have been made with smoke shops, tobacco wholesalers, Native American reservations and other military installations, and the definition of ‘local’ has been interpreted as including stores located hours away from a military installation 2 9…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Cigarette prices and community price comparisons in US military retail stores

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND Tobacco pricing impacts use, yet military retailers sell discounted cigarettes. No systematic research has examined how military retail stores use internal community comparisons to set prices. We analyzed data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request on community price comparisons used by military retail to set cigarette prices. METHODS Data on cigarette prices were obtained directly from military retailers (exchanges) from January 2013–March 2014. Complete pricing data was provided from exchanges on 114 military installations. RESULTS The average price for a pack of Marlboro cigarettes in military exchanges was $5.51, which was similar to the average lowest community price ($5.45; Mean Difference=−0.06; p=0.104) and almost a $1.00 lower than the average highest price ($6.44). Military retail prices were 2.1%, 6.2%, and 13.7% higher than the lowest, average, and highest community comparisons and 18.2% of exchange prices violated pricing instructions. There was a negative correlation (r = −.21, p = 0.02) between the number of community stores surveyed and exchange cigarette prices. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference between prices for cigarettes on military installations and the lowest average community comparison, and in some locations the prices violated DoD policy. US Marine Corps exchanges had the lowest prices, which is of concern given that the Marines also have the highest rates of tobacco use in the DoD. Given the relationship between tobacco product prices and demand, a common minimum (or floor) shelf price for tobacco products should be set for all exchanges and discount coupon redemptions should be prohibited.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Cigarette prices and community price comparisons in US military retail stores

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[19][20][21] For example, the DoD policy requiring tobacco product prices to be no lower than 5% below the most competitive community price has not been consistently enforced. [22][23][24] US military 'line' commanders (ie, those who lead troops in combat-related operations and support activities) are critical to the success of tobacco control policies because they are largely responsible for implementation and enforcement. However, because of the substantial time and effort required to access them, what is known about line commander's' perspectives on tobacco control has been studied only indirectly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives of US military commanders on tobacco use and tobacco control policy

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Tobacco use among U.S. military service members is unacceptably high, resulting in substantial health care and personnel costs. Support of military command is critical to the success of tobacco control policies because line commanders are responsible for implementation and enforcement. This study is the first to examine U.S. military line commander’s perspectives about current tobacco control policies and the impact of tobacco on readiness. Methods We conducted key-informant interviews with 20 officers at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College about military tobacco use and tobacco control policy. Results Participants identified the long term impact of tobacco use on military members, but were unaware of proximal effects on health and readiness other than lost productivity due to smoke breaks. Officers also discussed nicotine addiction and the logistics of ensuring that an addicted population had access to tobacco. Regarding policy, most knew about regulations governing smoke-free areas and were open to stronger restrictions, but were unaware of current policies governing prevention, intervention, and product sales. Conclusions Findings suggest that strong policy that takes advantage of the hierarchical and disciplined nature of the military, supported by senior line and civilian leadership up to and including the Secretaries of the services and the Secretary of Defense, will be critical to substantially diminishing tobacco use by military personnel.

show abstract