The Tobacco Quit Campaign

Place strategies in the tobacco quit campaign are intended to either make tobacco products less available to the general population or make help more accessible to those trying to quit. This strategy includes several tactics intended to focus into different populations: first we have active smokers wanting to quit, for those help needs to be easily accessible; second we have nonsmokers whose need to be protected from secondhand smoke; third we have the underage kids who not only need to be protected from the harmful events of tobacco but also need to understand that using tobacco products is not cool; the last group is composed by active smokers not intending to quit but that need to understand that their actions have effects in others.
The first tactic is related to restrict the number of locations selling tobacco products and therefore making the product less available; in Illinois, according to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, an establishment must have a license in order to sell tobacco products. To obtain such license the place
needs to fulfill certain requirements like displays warnings and not have crew members under the age of 16 selling such items.
Another restriction, this one intended to protect minors, is determined by the age of the buyer, the FDA establishes a minimum of 18 years old for a person to be able to buy cigarettes; however, several places such as Chicago, IL have raised this minimum age to 21, the same age required for one to legally buy alcoholic beverages.
The idea behind the age restriction is to avoid exposure to the youngster who may have less awareness of the long term consequences of tobacco consumption and be more vulnerable to external influences.
In another attempt to restrict sales, an internet sales regulation was developed, The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (the PACT Act) from June 29, 2010, regulates this sales channel. The PACT Act intends to make sure all taxes are properly collected; it also regulates sales for underage kids and guarantees that such sales follow all necessary determinations as does a regular sales
establishment.
In addition to restricting the selling places the government is acting on restricting consumption sites. Such restrictions are not only beneficial for those using tobacco products directly but, in case of smoke tobacco products, protect others from secondhand smoke. Since January 1, 2008 “the Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities.” (Smoke-free Illinois), this act intends to reduce to a minimum the number of public places where bystanders are exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco and also reduce kids’ exposure to such harmful habits.
Although such restrictions may reduce the hazard caused by secondhand smoke and reduce the number of kids willing to start smoking, according to Shiu et al. the effects on current smokers are not as promising: instead of being encouraged to stop smoking because of the restrictions, it is common for members of such group to relate smoking to a reward when they finally get to a place where smoking is allowed or arrive at their homes. Which ultimately causes a negative attitude toward the regulation and positive toward smoking since the last one is seen as a prize.
Finally the last tactic that I would like to present is the one used to make help to quit more available. While the offer of clinics may still be limited outside some urban areas, the existence of 24/7 hotlines free of charge make help available virtually anywhere. In case of a relapse or a craving a person trying to quit is able to reach out to friendly and well prepared help anytime of the day or night.