Data sources
View data on tobacco use, access, and cessation from the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP).
Data sources
MTCP used the following data sources in this dashboard:
Retail environment
| NielsenIQ | UPC scanner data from a custom dataset that includes unit sales from large retailers (grocery stores with an annual revenue over $2 million and drug and convenience stores with an annual revenue over $1 million) that account for roughly 25% of the tobacco retailers in MA. |
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| Circana(formerly Information Resources Inc. (IRI)) | UPC scanner data from select drug stores, mass merchandisers, and convenience stores that account for roughly 90% of large retailers and 25% of convenience stores in MA using a combination of direct scanner feeds from census retailers and a sampling/projection methodology for non-census retailers |
| Pricing Survey | Retail assessments attempted in all tobacco retailers in MA, assessing price and availability of select tobacco products, including cigarettes, single and multi-pack cigars/cigarillos, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches, and vape products. This survey is conducted every fiscal year by the Department of Public Health (DPH) (in partnership with John Snow, Inc). On average, over 70% percent of retailers complete the survey annually. |
Tobacco/Nicotine use, access, and cessation data sources
| Adult Panel survey | An annual survey of adults who use tobacco in select MA communities (2021-2023) and across the whole state (2024) conducted by DPH. Participants are recruited through a combination of online panels and direct household mailings, and surveys are offered in four languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. The survey collects information on tobacco use, methods of obtaining tobacco products, and cessation behaviors. |
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| Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) | An annual telephone survey that collects data from MA adults on emerging public health issues, health conditions, risk factors and behaviors. Includes questions used to monitor statewide adult prevalence on tobacco use, quitting behavior, and exposure to secondhand smoke. It is conducted as a collaboration between DPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, please visit: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance | Mass.gov |
| Youth Health Survey (YHS) | A survey conducted every odd numbered year among middle and high school students in MA that collects data on health conditions, health risk behaviors, and protective factors. Includes questions used to monitor statewide youth prevalence of perceptions of tobacco, tobacco use, and access to tobacco/nicotine products. It is conducted as a collaboration between DPH and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). For more information, please visit:https://www.mass.gov/lists/massachusetts-youth-health-survey-myhs |
| Quitline | A free tobacco quitting program that offers phone and online coaching from professional quit coaches. For more information please visit: Massachusetts - Home (quitlogix.org). Quitline participants may also be eligible to receive free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). When the law took effect, the Quitline implemented a special program for people who use menthol products that provides monetary incentives to complete coaching calls. For more information about this and other Quitline programs, please visit About 1-800-QUIT-NOW | Mass.gov. Quitline quit rates were collected via follow-up survey seven months after intake. Participants were considered quit if they had not used any tobacco/nicotine products in the past 30 days at the time of survey. |