Exploring how tobacco policies diffuse across US states during 1990-2010.

This study investigates strategic interactions in state policymaking, challenging common assumptions about policy diffusion. Using unique data on four major tobacco policies introduced from 1990 to 2010,

New Findings:

• States exhibit both free-rider dynamics and competitive races regarding tobacco regulations

• Research reveals nuanced responses: states sometimes adopt neighboring policies only after assessing their legitimacy

Early Stage Insights:

• Diffusion mechanisms vary significantly during agenda setting compared to policy enactment phases