The Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Markets in Texas Relative to the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the cigarette and smokeless tobacco (SLT) markets in Texas and the United States (US) as a whole.

METHODS: Nielsen convenience store sales data from 2014 were obtained for Dallas, Houston, San Antonio/Austin, and the total US. Descriptive statistics highlighted market share differences in Texas compared to the US overall.

RESULTS: Marlboro and Copenhagen dominated the cigarette (58.9%) and SLT markets (44.8%) in Texas and had substantially higher relative market shares in Texas than nationally (46.7% and 29.8%, respectively). Camel, with sales driven largely by its Camel Crush variety, held second place in Texas (9.8%), outselling Newport (6.6%), despite Newport's status as second best-selling brand in the US (11.5%). Copenhagen led the SLT market in Texas, outselling Grizzly 2 to 1, yet the brands hold roughly equivalent shares nationally. Whereas flavored SLT products made up nearly 60% of the US SLT market, unflavored SLT (58.6%) dominated in Texas markets. Finally, sales of fine-cut SLT in Texas were more than triple their national market share.

CONCLUSIONS: Regional tobacco market share differences are likely influenced by multiple factors such as marketing, population demographics, culture, and neighboring communities. Policymakers are encouraged to develop local tobacco control policies and programs within the context of this knowledge.