Abuse liability evaluation of mephedrone in humans

Abstract

presence in licensed alcohol outlets in Baltimore, Maryland, with particular attention to possible disparities among varying sociodemographic neighborhood census tracts. Additionally, this study examines the relationship between e-cigarette availability and the selling of tobacco and drug products and paraphernalia within the outlets. Methods: Data were obtained via field surveys of 667 licensed Baltimore alcohol outlets to determine if licensing requirements were adequatelymet. Protocol included assessments for food/drink consumption areas, tobacco and drug paraphernalia, youth and minority-oriented alcohol and tobacco advertising, adherence to anti-smoking ordinances, and business practices to prevent underage tobacco and alcohol purchases. Results: Preliminary results show that of the 572 licensed alcohol outlets in Baltimore that were successfully surveyed, 107 outlets (18.7%) had e-cigarettes available for purchase at either above or below 3.5 feet from the floor. Of those 107 outlets, 5 (4.7%) had e-cigarettes available for purchase at both above and below 3.5 feet from the floor. Multiple logistic regression results showed statistically significantly higher odds ratios for e-cigarette availability when cigars (OR=15.48, p<0.001) or hookah (OR=3.16, p=0.013) were sold in an outlet. Conclusions: E-cigarette availability is sparse among Baltimore’s alcohol outlets, and very few have e-cigarettes available at heights physically accessible and visible for both adults and youth. Additionally, data suggest that e-cigarettes are sold as a complement to traditional tobacco products. Further analysis will investigate density of e-cigarette selling alcohol outlets in relation to neighborhood census tracts and their characteristics. Financial support: This study is supported by NIDA grant T32DA007292.