Observing and Tracking Tobacco Industry Sponsored Events

Cheryl A. LoehrSeptember 21, 2009

5th National Summit on Smokeless & Spit Tobacco

A Long Long Time Ago,in a Galaxy Far Far Away

California started tracking tobacco industry sponsored events

Project Sponsorship Mission:Avoid Reliance on Tobacco Money

OR

Project SMART Money (PS$)

Goal: Eliminate tobacco industry sponsorship of and influence upon California's diverse events and organizations

California Sampling Law

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 118950:It is unlawful for any person, agent, or employee of a person in the business of selling or distributing smokeless tobacco or cigarettes to engage in the nonsale distribution of any smokeless tobacco or cigarettes to any person in any public building, park or playground, or on any public sidewalk, street, or other public grounds, or on any private property that is open to the general public.

MSA Regulations

• Youth targeting is banned• Cartoons are banned• Limitations on tobacco brand name sponsorship– Prohibited in some cases– 1 Brand Sponsorship a year

• Ban on brand name merchandise• Ban on youth access to free samples

Basic Information

Belt Buckle Winning Comment

The stadium is filled to capacity with fans of all ages, backgrounds and occupations…. I see kids with their popcorn and action figures and athlete cards anxiously awaiting their hero’s arrival.

FDA Legislation

• Bans all remaining tobacco-brand sponsorships of sports and entertainment events

• Bans sampling of cigarettes, but not of smokeless tobacco.

Observing Events• Finding events• Initially local projects were recruited to attend events in their community• Transferred to Population Research Systems (PRS) in 2002

Our Database

Questions?

Cheryl A. LoehrCheryl.loehr@cdph.ca.gov

California Tobacco Control Progam