Tobacco Retail Sales in Massachusetts and New Hampshire Before and After Massachusetts' Flavored Tobacco Restriction

Abstract

In June 2020, Massachusetts became the first state to implement a comprehensive flavored tobacco restriction. One concern was that Massachusetts residents would travel to New Hampshire to purchase restricted products. This article assesses tobacco sales in both states post–law implementation. Retail scanner data were obtained from the Nielsen Company and Information Resources, Inc (IRI), from 1 year pre–law implementation to 2 years post–law implementation. Data post–law implementation were compared with data from 1 year pre–law implementation (baseline). In Massachusetts, 2 years post–law implementation, flavored and menthol tobacco sales decreased by more than 90%. Total sales decreased by around 20%. In New Hampshire, menthol tobacco sales increased (25.1% in IRI and 18.2% in Nielsen), but total sales changed minimally (<5% increase in IRI, <5% decrease in Nielsen). When data from both states were combined, total sales decreased by around 10%. The net decrease in total tobacco sales across Massachusetts and New Hampshire indicates Massachusetts' flavored tobacco restriction resulted in a reduction in tobacco sales despite potential cross-border purchases.