Changes in Retail Tobacco Product Availability following a Chicago City Ordinance Restricting Sales of Menthol and Other Flavored Tobacco Products near Schools

Background: In April 2016, the City of Chicago implemented an ordinance restricting the sale of all flavored (including menthol) tobacco products (FTPs), including electronic cigarettes, at retailers located within 500 feet of any public, private, or alternative elementary, middle ("primary"), or high ("secondary") school. We examined changes in retail availability of FTPs from before to after policy implementation among policy-affected retailers compared with retailers not subject to the policy. Method: Observational data were collected in June to September 2015 (Wave 1; pre-policy) and November to December 2016 (Wave 2; post-policy) from a panel of 194 randomly selected policy-area stores (located within 500 feet of a school), and a panel of 199 randomly selected comparison-area stores (located more than 500 feet from a school). Using generalized estimation equation regression, we assessed differences in FTP availability changes across study areas. Results: We observed a statistically significant policy effect on FTP availability (Area × Wave interaction, p<0.05); however, more than half of policy-area retailers continued to display at least one FTP after policy implementation (87.11% at Wave 1, 57.73% at Wave 2, p<0.05). Similar reductions were seen for the availability of flavored cigarillos/little cigars and menthol cigarettes, while policy effects varied across store types. Discussion: FTP availability reductions appear to be associated with policy implementation, but FTPs remained readily available at retailers subject to the policy. This study contributes to the evidence base indicating that policies with exclusions or exemptions for certain flavors, products, store types, or retailer locations have a limited effect on retail availability of FTPs.