Public Support for Tobacco Price Promotion Bans Among U.S. Adults: An Online Experiment.

INTRODUCTION

This study examined public knowledge about tobacco price promotions and support for banning them. It also tested whether education statements about this marketing tactic changed existing knowledge and support.

METHODS

A national sample of U.S. adults (aged ≥21 years) responded to a survey during March-May 2024 (N=3,200). Participants were randomized into viewing (intervention) or not viewing (control) statements about tobacco price promotions and their impact on commercial tobacco use. Their knowledge about tobacco price promotions and support for potential price promotion bans were assessed afterward. Weighted logistic regression models were conducted in 2025 to examine the correlates of such knowledge and support, and weighted chi-square tests were used to compare tobacco price promotion knowledge and support for each policy between conditions.

RESULTS

Overall, 45.6% and 51.7% of U.S. adults were aware of tobacco price promotion and its impact on commercial tobacco use, respectively; 39.3% supported a coupon provision ban, 39.7% supported an in-store discount ban, and 22.5% supported a coupon redemption ban. Such knowledge and support varied somewhat by demographics, commercial tobacco use status, and state tobacco price promotion ban policy. A higher proportion of U.S. adults who viewed the education statements were aware of tobacco price promotion (72.7%) and its impact on commercial tobacco use (68.8%) and supported a coupon provision ban (44.6%; p<0.05) but not an in-store discount ban (44.3%) and a coupon redemption ban (19.7%; p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Effectively communicating the impact of tobacco price promotions may increase support for tobacco price promotion bans and policy adoption.