Alternative Pricing Strategies: Data Collection in the Retail Environment

Audience:
The primary audience is tobacco control staff responsible for retail environment policy and community programs.  Evaluation and surveillance staff will also be provided examples of analyzing national adult tobacco survey data and collecting local retail data.

Key Points:
To discuss tobacco pricing strategies, Massachusetts held a pricing summit in October 2011 with national experts, state and local tobacco control staff, and collaborating state agencies.  Underpinning Massachusetts policy initiatives are local data collection in the retail environment.  In November 2011, local Boards of Health began collecting retail pricing and promotion data.  Their experience will be shared.  Baseline pricing data findings will demonstrate the variability in pricing and promotions by city/town.  Potential uses of the data such as monitoring minimum pricing compliance will be discussed. 

Survey data from the national adult tobacco survey (2009/2010) on tobacco purchase behavior – carton vs. pack, out-of-state, internet, and Indian reservations – will be also presented along with self-reported prices paid by residents of Massachusetts and neighboring states.  Planned pricing strategies will be discussed.

Educational Experience:
Participants will learn about the pricing summit as well as strategies for collecting data on pricing in the retail environment.

Benefits:
Participants can conduct a similar pricing analysis in their state using national adult tobacco survey data.  By discussing strategies for collecting local retail pricing data, potential pitfalls may be avoided.  A pricing summit may be a beneficial way to develop a practical and achievable statewide strategy.