Contraband tobacco on post-secondary campuses in Ontario, Canada: analysis of discarded cigarette butts

Abstract

BackgroundNo studies to date have assessed young adults’ use of First Nations/Native tobacco, a common form of contraband tobacco in Canada. This study examined the proportion of First Nations/Native cigarette butts discarded on post-secondary campuses in the province of Ontario, and potential differences between colleges and universities and across geographical regions.MethodsIn 2009, discarded cigarette butts were collected from high-traffic smoking locations at 12 universities and 13 colleges purposively selected to represent a variety of institutions from all 7 health service regions across Ontario. Cigarette butts were identified as First Nations/Native tobacco if they were: known First Nations/Native brands; had names not matching domestic and international legally-manufactured cigarettes; had no visible branding or logos.ResultsOf 36,355 butts collected, 14% (95% CI = 9.75–19.04) were First Nations/Native. Use of this tobacco was apparent on all campuses, accounting for as little as 2% to as much as 39% of cigarette consumption at a particular school. Proportions of First Nations/Native butts were not significantly higher on colleges (M = 17%) than universities (M = 12%), but were significantly higher in the North region.ConclusionsThe presence of cheap First Nations/Native (contraband) tobacco on post-secondary campuses suggests the need for regulation and public education strategies aimed to reduce its use. Strategies should account for regional variations, and convey messages that resonate with young adults. Care must be taken to present fair messages about First Nations/Native tobacco, and avoid positioning regulated tobacco as a healthier option than contraband.

Countervailing Effects: What the FDA Would Have to Know to Evaluate Tobacco Regulations

“…The estimates are computed using a variety of methods to collect data, including collection of empty discarded packs, consumer surveys, seizure data, and other methods. Numerous studies, beginning with Lakhdar (2008), perform discarded-pack studies (Wilson et al, 2009;Merriman, 2010;Barkans and Lawrance, 2013;Davis et al, 2013;Stoklosa and Ross, 2014;Wherry et al, 2014). Many types of surveys can ascertain the prevalence of illicit tobacco purchases, including telephone surveys of areas near Indian reservations (Hyland et al, 2004) and convenience samples of self-identified smokers at bus stops (Wherry et al, 2014).…”

“…Large-scale traditional surveys that ask about where cigarettes are purchased include the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Project surveys (Guindon et al, 2014) and the TUS-CPS (Chiou and Muehlegger, 2008;Lovenheim, 2008;DeCicca, Kenkel, and Liu, 2013). Stehr (2005) (Barkans and Lawrance, 2013;Calderoni, 2013;Guindon et al, 2014;Stoklosa and Ross, 2013). And there are few estimates of a change in black-market share in response to a policy change other than a tax increase (Scollo et al, 2014).…”

Assessing contraband tobacco in two jurisdictions: a direct collection of cigarette butts

“…Evidence of the use of contraband cigarettes is also available from direct cigarette butt collection [ 26 ]. In this method, every butt within a specified area is collected and sorted into legitimate and contraband groups.…”

“…Furthermore, the direct collection of cigarette butts can provide an explicit estimate of the proportion of contraband cigarettes being smoked by location. This methodology is unobtrusive and avoids the social desirability bias that may be present in self-reported surveys [ 26 ]. The Canadian Convenience Store Association commissions ad hoc cigarette butt studies and in 2009, suggested that 30 % of cigarette butts collected from 110 sites in Ontario were contraband; however, limited information is available regarding the methodology and sampling used in this study [ 27 ].…”

“…The Canadian Convenience Store Association commissions ad hoc cigarette butt studies and in 2009, suggested that 30 % of cigarette butts collected from 110 sites in Ontario were contraband; however, limited information is available regarding the methodology and sampling used in this study [ 27 ]. A study by Barkans and Lawrence [ 26 ], which focused on young adults, examined over 36,000 dropped cigarette butts collected from 25 campuses purposively selected across Ontario [ 26 ]. This study found that 14 % of collected cigarette butts were contraband, and that the prevalence varied greatly by region (2 to 39 %).…”