Insights From a Community-Based Strategy to Assess Tobacco and Vape Shop Retailers' Implementation of Tobacco 21 Law in El Paso, Texas.

This article focuses on the American Heart Association's (AHA) assessment of Tobacco 21 (T21) policy implementation among tobacco retailers in El Paso, Texas, following the 2019 federal law raising the minimum tobacco sales age from 18 to 21. The study used a mixed-methods approach combining a quantitative intercept survey of all tobacco retailers and qualitative ethnography of vape shops to evaluate retailer knowledge, perceptions, and challenges related to T21 compliance amid conflicting state exemptions. Key findings highlight the importance of selecting knowledgeable data collectors and employing flexible data collection methods, such as offering online survey options and incentives, to improve retailer engagement. The research underscores the complexities retailers face due to inconsistent guidance and emphasizes considerations for effective community-based policy implementation assessments.