Learning Objectives: Explain how the growth of tobacco product sales over the internet undermine tobacco control and threaten public health. Identify the problems encountered during state enforcement of tobacco taxes and minimum age sales laws on tobacco product sales over the internet. Describe effective enforcement strategies for state tobacco taxes and minimum age sales laws on tobacco product sales over the internet.
Abstract: Audience: Anyone concerned with reducing tobacco use needs to understand the growing threat caused by tobacco product sales over the internet. Internet sales currently provide youths with another way to obtain tobacco products while avoiding minimum age laws. By typically selling tobacco products free of state and, sometimes, federal taxes, internet prices are well below regular market prices, thereby increasing adult and youth smoking levels. The threat of increased tax avoidance through internet sales impedes efforts to raise cigarette tax rates, which reduces smoking and can provide scarce funds for state tobacco prevention programs. Internet sales also threaten to change the structure of the U.S. tobacco industry and market, which could harm public health efforts and reduce state tobacco settlement revenues. Key Points: 1) Internet tobacco sales are growing rapidly, with few internet sellers complying with applicable tax laws or doing adequate age verification. 2) State budget difficulties require that tobacco control initiatives seek new funding streams and protect existing ones; but internet sales reduce state tobacco tax and settlement revenues. 3) While substantial obstacles exist (including tribal sovereignty issues), new public and private enforcement strategies can reduce youth access to internet sales, improve state tobacco tax collection, and minimize related settlement payment threats -- and new legislation can make that easier. 4) New laws and enforcement efforts in California, New York and other states provide useful guidance. Educational Experience: Panel presentation along with audience participation. Benefit: An understanding of how internet tobacco sales are hurting tobacco control efforts and what can be done about it.
Back to Effective Responses to the Growing Threat of Tobacco Sales Over the Internet
Back to Public Policy and Advocacy Strategies
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)