Conducting routine undercover inspections of tobacco retailers has shown to sharply increase retailer compliance with laws that prohibit tobacco sales to minors. Existing crime statutes allow enforcement only by police departments, which need funding for these activities. Noncompliance with cigarette retail licensure and cigarette excise tax laws is expected to continue, requiring additional enforcement by the Department of Revenue, whose funds have been declining. In the several states where they were initiated, large scale counter-marketing activities have proven effective in promoting quitting and decreasing the likelihood of tobacco initiation. When well researched, designed and funded, media messages can have a powerful influence on public support for tobacco control policy changes and set a supportive climate for school and community efforts.
Advertising is part of a multi-faceted approach to tobacco prevention and cessation.
A majority of those addicted to nicotine desire to quit, and cessation rates increase when trained health care providers counsel users, when cessation services and products are accessible, and when a supportive smoke free environment exists. Surveillance and Evaluation Enhancing medical monitoring and reporting of tobacco use will improve physician counseling and other services for addicted patients. Continuous measuring of tobacco use prevalence, cessation attempts and outcomes, environmental tobacco smoke exposure and other variables among various populations is essential for monitoring and evaluating all tobacco control program objectives.