MDR was contracted by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation Program to evaluate the effectiveness of raising the minimum age of purchase for tobacco products to 21. This involved an evaluation of T21 policies and their effect on in-person sales conducted from 2014 to 2019. This evaluation was done using multiple statistical tests, including the creation of a logistic regression model that assessed the effectiveness of these policies while controlling for various factors within the municipalities. 

These tests were followed by an online survey of tobacco retailers within the state. The objective was to assess their opinion of T21 policies, the policies effect on sales, and the effectiveness of education and funding provided by MTCP.

This survey instrument was constructed by MDR and MTCP and sent out to tobacco retailers throughout the state. 

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A similar evaluation was conducted for the Maryland Tobacco Retail Survey. This project featured an incredibly abbreviated timeline. With less than a month before implementation, MDR assembled a full survey instrument, sampling plan, and survey design in time for a pre-implementation survey data collection. MDR utilized past T21 program evaluation work to architect this survey and research design. 

The online survey focuses on retailers of tobacco products, attempting to learn how they market, sell, and educate employees about tobacco products and the laws and regulations regarding those products. Survey invitations were sent to Maryland retailers by email, and data was collected online for MDR to analyze.