Tobacco product availability
In the years following implementation of the state law, there have been drastic reductions in availability and retail sales of menthol and other flavored tobacco products in MA.
To date, minimal sales of flavored tobacco products remain. Remaining flavored products may be partially attributed to increases in concept flavors (characterizing flavors not clearly identifiable as menthol, fruit etc.) produced by the tobacco industry. These products are particularly difficult to identify and therefore difficult to enforce on due to their ambiguous flavor descriptions [1]. For example, products with names such as chill, clear or ice, or “sweet” flavored cigars. While “sweet” cigars have a distinguishing aroma other than tobacco, given their ambiguous description, there have been inconsistencies in the classification of these products among retailers and data collectors.
The increase seen in FY24 in “other flavors” for single and multi-pack cigars in may be due in part to an increase in availability of “sweet” cigars following the flavored tobacco restriction given their ambiguous description, as well as an increase in consistency of messaging on classification of these products as flavored.
Select a year, product type, and flavor to see availability in surveyed MA retailers. Data from MA pricing survey.
Tobacco retail sales
To examine trends in retail sales data, first select a data source (Circana or NielsenIQ). You may then look at unit sales over time in MA and neighboring states by using product type and flavor filters.
Youth access to tobacco/nicotine products
Select a school level (high school or middle school) to see youth sources of access to tobacco/nicotine products over time. Data from MA YHS.
Adult access to tobacco/nicotine products
Select a year, demographic filter and product type to see adult sources of access to tobacco/nicotine products over time. Data from MA panel survey.