Equitable Enforcement in Commercial Tobacco Control

Not all populations are equally protected by the laws, policies, and resources that are intended to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related harm.

Due to tobacco companies’ pernicious targeting, many underserved communities — communities of color, low-income communities, and LGBTQ+ communities, among others — are exposed to more point-of-sale advertising, live in places with a greater concentration of retailers that sell tobacco products, and have a higher prevalence of tobacco use. As these disparities in tobacco advertising, access, and use persist, so do disparities in the enforcement of commercial tobacco control laws and policies.

ChangeLab Solutions, The Center for Black Health & Equity, and Counter Tools hosted a discussion on how local and state partners can advance equitable enforcement practices in commercial tobacco control. This discussion

• Contextualizes the role of commercial tobacco control in efforts to improve health and racial equity;
• Explains the concept of equitable enforcement, why it matters, and how public health practitioners can support equitable enforcement practices;
• Introduces a joint statement from a consortium of public health organizations that sets forth values and recommendations for the equitable enforcement of commercial tobacco control laws and policies;
• Provides a real-world case study on the application of equitable enforcement practices; and
• Offers additional guidance and resources on elevating health equity and racial justice in the implementation and enforcement of commercial tobacco control laws and policies.

Presenters

• LaTroya Hester, director of communications, The Center for Black Health & Equity
• Derek Carr, senior attorney, ChangeLab Solutions
• Delmonte Jefferson, executive director, The Center for Black Health & Equity
• Mollie Mayfield, senior project director, Counter Tools, and managing editor, CounterTobacco.org
• Kari McFarlan, program supervisor, Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, Multnomah County, Oregon

Watch the recording