Tobacco Retail Outlet Density Research Articles

The Association Between Tobacco Retailer Outlet Density and Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Virginia.

We examine the association between tobacco retail outlet density and adult smoking prevalence at the county level in Virginia, controlling for spatial autocorrelations. Pooling data from 2020 County Health Rankings (compiled data from various sources including, but not limited to, the National Center for Health Statistics-Mortality Files, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and the American Community Survey) and Counter Tools, we conducted regression analyses that accounted for spatial autocorrelation (spatial lag models, LMlag) and adjusted for county-level access to healthcare, demographics, SES, environmental factors, risk conditions or behaviors, and population health measures. Our estimates provide evidence that every increase of one tobacco retail outlet per 1000 persons was associated with 1.16 percentage points (95% CI: 0.80-1.52) higher smoking prevalence at the county level in Virginia after controlling for spatial autocorrelation. The effect of outlet density was largely explained by social determinants of health such as SES, risky conditions or behaviors, and environmental factors. We further noticed that the impact of social determinants of health were closely related and can be explained by indicators of population health (rates of mental distress (β = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.31-1.67) and physical inactivity (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.04-0.10). Although higher tobacco outlet density was associated with an increase in county-level smoking prevalence, the impact of outlet density was largely explained by social determinants of health and mental illness. Improving well-being at the community level could be a promising strategy in future tobacco control policies. The influence of tobacco outlet density seems to be explained by other social determinants of health and population level of mental or physical health. Thus, efforts to reduce tobacco use and consequent negative health effects should explore the impact of improving regional living standards. However, a sole focus on economic growth may not be sufficient, whereas a focus on such things as promoting work-life balance and improving overall well-being at the community level may be more.

Documenting the Impact Potential of a Menthol Cigarette Ban at Point-of-Sale: A Photograph-Based Analysis of the Presence and Placement of Menthol Versus Regular Cigarette Packs on the Shelves of Tobacco Retail Outlets in New York City.

To investigate the absolute and proportionate number of menthol versus regular cigarette packs displayed on the shelves inside tobacco retail outlets (TROs) across New York City (NYC). Photographic surveillance methods were used to capture the presence and proportionate amount of all visible cigarette packs on the shelves inside N = 160 TROs. Statistical analyses examined the absolute and proportionate number of menthol packs in each TRO as a function of NYC borough, the local TRO environment, population smoking rates derived from the NYC Community Health Survey, and other demographic indicators from the American Community Survey. The total number of cigarette packs on the shelves of each TRO and the proportion of menthol packs varied significantly across TROs, averaging about one-quarter of all packs displayed (M = 0.274; SD = .15). Modeling results indicate that the proportion of menthol packs displayed was significantly greater in areas with elevated population smoking rates (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, CI: 1.01-1.06) and density of TROs per 1000 residents (OR = 1.23; CI: 1.01-1.49), although these associations varied in complex ways with the proportion living under the federal poverty level and the proportion under age 18 years residing within each zip-code. Results of this study demonstrate the utility of photograph-based TRO audit methods for objective, reliable documentation of the presence and proportionate amount of menthol versus other cigarette pack types on TRO shelves and highlight the need to account for sources of variation between small areas when examining the TRO product landscape and evaluating the effectiveness of regulatory actions against menthol. This study describes use of a "hands-free" surveillance technique that offers valuable advantages over traditional retailer surveillance techniques. Comprehensive photographic surveillance data collection allows for more objective measurements of, in this case, the retail outlet's tobacco power wall, as multiple coders can review the same images and interrater reliability can be empirically tested. The results of this analysis highlight the need to account for local variation between small areas when examining TRO product landscapes and the effects of policy changes at the retailer level.

Association of cigarette production and tobacco retailer density on secondhand smoke exposure in urban China

The primary aims of this study are to examine the associations between two key environmental factors—regional cigarette tobacco production and tobacco retail outlet density—and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in urban...

The impact of tobacco retail density on overall survival (OS) in lung cancer survivors.

12058 Background: Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis is associated with poorer outcomes. We previously identified that tobacco retail outlet density is negatively associated with cessation in lung cancer survivors (ASCO 2019). However, the impact of tobacco retail density on survival has not been evaluated. We evaluated the impact of tobacco retail density on OS in lung cancer patients (pts). Methods: Lung cancer pts diagnosed from 2009-2012 were recruited at diagnosis and completed a baseline questionnaire on their socio-demographics, ECOG and smoking history. Clinicopathologic data including stage, histology and OS data were collected. Validated tobacco retail location data obtained from Ministry of Health and pt home addresses were geocoded using ArcGIS 10.6.1, which calculated tobacco outlet density within 250 meters (m) and 500m from pts. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the impact of tobacco outlet density on OS adjusted for significant clinicodemographic covariates. Results: Among 1411 pts, median age 66, 53% female, 8% small cell/56% adenocarcinoma/17% squamous/19% other, 28% stage 1/9% stage 2/20% stage 3/35% stage 4, 38% were current smokers at diagnosis and 40% were ex-smokers; median OS was 24 months. On average, there was one vendor (range 0-23) within 250m and four vendors (range 0-44) within 500m from pts; 33% and 60% of pts lived within 250m and 500m from at least one vendor respectively. The final baseline multivariable model consisted of age, gender, stage, smoking status, ECOG and neighbourhood marginalization index ( P< 0.05). Among all pts, not living within 250m to an outlet improved OS (aHR 0.84 [0.72-0.97] P= 0.02). Living near more outlets within 250 m (aHR 1.03 per outlet [1.00-1.05] P= 0.03) or 500 m (aHR 1.01 per outlet [1.00-1.02] P= 0.04) worsened OS. Subgroup analysis based on smoking status at diagnosis, identified that among current smokers, not living within 250m to an outlet improved OS (aHR 0.76 [0.60-0.97] P= 0.03), and among ex-smokers, living near more outlets within 500 m worsened OS (aHR 1.02 per outlet [0.99-1.03] P= 0.07); other associations showed similar directionality. Among 135 current smokers at diagnosis with follow-up smoking status, not living within 250m to an outlet continued to show a trend towards improved OS (aHR 0.57 [0.31-1.03] P= 0.06), after also adjusting for follow-up smoking status. Conclusions: Living near a greater density of tobacco outlets is associated with poorer OS among lung cancer pts. Reducing the density of tobacco outlets may be a strategy that can help improve lung cancer pt outcomes.

Neighborhood Disadvantage and Tobacco Retail Outlet and Vape Shop Outlet Rates.

Neighborhood-level socioeconomic variables, such as the proportion of minority and low-income residents, have been associated with a greater density of tobacco retail outlets (TROs), though less is known about the degree to which these neighborhood indicators are related to vape shop outlet (VSO) density. Many studies of TROs and neighborhood characteristics include only a small set of variables and also fail to take into account the correlation among these variables. Using a carefully curated database of all TROs and VSOs in Virginia (2016–2018), we developed a Bayesian model to estimate a neighborhood disadvantage index and examine its association with rates of outlets across census tracts while also accounting for correlations among variables. Models included 12 census tract variables from the American Community Survey. Results showed that increasing neighborhood disadvantage was associated with a 63% and 64% increase in TRO and VSO risk, respectively. Important variables associated with TRO rates included % renter occupied housing, inverse median gross rent, inverse median monthly housing costs, inverse median monthly housing costs, and % vacant housing units. Important variables associated with VSO rates were % renter occupied housing and % Hispanic population. There were several spatial clusters of significantly elevated risk for TROs and VSOs in western and eastern Virginia.

Using point-of-sale data to examine tobacco pricing across neighbourhoods in Scotland

ObjectivesTo assess the geographical variation in tobacco price (cigarettes and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco) in convenience stores across Scotland and how this relates to neighbourhood income deprivation, tobacco retail outlet density...

Association between density and proximity of tobacco retail outlets with smoking: A systematic review of youth studies.

Reducing the retail availability of tobacco has been proposed as a component of tobacco endgame, yet it is not known whether retail availability has a direct impact on smoking behaviours. A narrative review and a meta-analysis have been undertaken to examine the density and proximity of tobacco retail outlets, but were limited in scope, exposure and outcome variables. The aim of this current study was to undertake a systematic review of the international literature on the density and proximity of tobacco retail outlets to homes, schools and communities and their association with smoking behaviours among youth. We reviewed and critically appraised the evidence documenting the association between density or proximity of tobacco retail outlets and smoking behaviours among school-age youth (18 and under), between 1 January 1990 and 21 October 2019. We reviewed original quantitative research that examined the associations of tobacco retail outlet density and proximity with individual smoking status or population-level smoking prevalence; initiation of smoking; frequency of tobacco use; sales to minors; purchasing by minors; susceptibility to smoking among non-smokers; perceived prevalence of smoking, and quitting behaviours. Thirty-five peer-reviewed papers met the inclusion criteria. This review provided evidence of a relationship between density of tobacco retail outlets and smoking behaviours, particularly for the density near youths' home. A study using activity spaces also found a significant positive association between exposure to tobacco retail outlets and daily tobacco use. The review did not provide evidence of an association between the proximity of tobacco retail outlets to homes or schools and smoking behaviours among youth. The existing evidence supports a positive association between tobacco retail outlet density and smoking behaviours among youth, particularly for the density near youths' home. This review provides evidence for the development and implementation of policies to reduce the density of tobacco retail outlets to reduce smoking prevalence among youth.

Psychosocial and neighborhood correlates of health-related quality of life: A multi-level study among Hispanic adults.

Improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a public health goal of Healthy People 2020. Hispanics living in the United States are at risk for poor HRQoL, but the causes and correlates of this risk are not well understood. Thus, the present study examined individual-level psychosocial and neighborhood-level built environment correlates of physical and mental HRQoL among Hispanic adults. A community sample of Hispanic adults (N = 383) completed self-report health-related questionnaires, and census tract was used to collect data on neighborhood-level built environment variables. Multilevel modeling was used to examine individual-level psychosocial (language preference, religiosity, subjective social status, discrimination, and number of years lived in the United States) and neighborhood-level built-environment (the retail food environment, proximity to alcohol retailers, and tobacco retailer density) correlates of physical and mental HRQoL. Higher subjective social status was significantly associated with better HRQoL, and more experiences with discrimination were significantly associated with lower HRQoL. For physical HRQoL, these relationships were stronger in neighborhoods with a higher density of tobacco retail outlets. Findings from this study suggest that subjective social status and discrimination play important roles in HRQoL among Hispanics, in particular in neighborhoods with a higher density of tobacco retail outlets. This study highlights the importance of considering neighborhood context, and in particular neighborhood disadvantage, when examining the relationship between social status, discrimination and HRQoL among Hispanics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Social Capital and Tobacco Retail Outlet Density: An Empirical Test of the Relationship.

To examine the relationship between tobacco outlet density and social capital. Parents of at least one teen (N = 2734) in a representative sample of US households with teens (ages 13-16). Population-based, cross-sectional survey of a web panel of adolescent-parent pairs matched with spatial data for address to characterize household neighborhoods. US households identified by latitude and longitude with a 50-ft random shift. Perceived social capital (trust and informal social control as reported by parents), tobacco outlet density (retailers per land area in 1/2-mile buffer around each household), neighborhood demographics (derived from American Community Survey), and parent demographics. Multivariable regression examined the relationship between tobacco outlet density and social capital controlling for household buffer and individual-level covariates, including correlates of social capital. Tobacco outlet density was inversely correlated with perceived trust in neighbors (B = -1.12, P = .0004), but not social control (B = 0.11, P = .731). This study is the first we are aware of to find that social capital is related to tobacco outlet density. The results imply that individuals with low social capital may benefit from policies regulating tobacco outlet density and may benefit from policies that address neighborhood inequality by increasing social capital and reducing poverty.

How has the introduction of point-of-sale legislation affected the presence and visibility of tobacco retailing in Scotland? A longitudinal study

BackgroundReducing the local availability of tobacco is identified as the ‘next frontier’ in tobacco control. This paper examines the roles of tobacco retail outlet density and tobacco visibility in changing...

Tobacco retail outlet density, local smoking norms and maternal smoking during pregnancy: a case crossover study

1. Associations of tobacco retailer density and proximity with adult tobacco use behaviours and health outcomes: a meta-analysis Joseph Lee, Amanda Kong, Kerry Sewell, Shelley Golden, Todd Combs, Kurt Ribisl, Lisa Henriksen Tobacco Control CrossRef

The retail availability of tobacco in Tasmania: evidence for a socio-economic and geographical gradient.

To describe the retail availability of tobacco and to examine the association between tobacco outlet density and area-level remoteness and socio-economic status classification in Tasmania. Ecological cross-sectional study; analysis of tobacco retail outlet data collected by the Department of Health and Human Services (Tasmania) according to area-level (Statistical Areas Level 2) remoteness (defined by the Remoteness Structure of the Australian Statistical Geographical Standard) and socio-economic status (defined by the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage). Tobacco retail outlet density per 1000 residents. On 31 December 2016, there were 1.54 tobacco retail outlets per 1000 persons. The density of outlets was 79% greater in suburbs or towns in outer regional, remote and very remote Tasmania than in inner regional Tasmania (rate ratio [RR], 1.79; 95% confidence Interval [CI], 1.29-2.50; P < 0.001). Suburbs or towns in Tasmania with the greatest socio-economic disadvantage had more than twice the number of tobacco outlets per 1000 people as areas of least disadvantage (RR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.32-4.21; P = 0.014). A disproportionate concentration of tobacco retail outlets in regional and remote Tasmania and in areas of lowest socio-economic status is evident. Our findings are consistent with those of analyses in New South Wales and Western Australia. Progressive tobacco retail restrictions have been proposed as the next frontier in tobacco control. However, the intended and unintended consequences of such policies need to be investigated, particularly for socio-economically deprived and rural areas.

Tobacco retail outlet restrictions: health and cost impacts from multistate life-table modelling in a national population

BackgroundSince there is some evidence that the density and distribution of tobacco retail outlets may influence smoking behaviours, we aimed to estimate the impacts of 4 tobacco outlet reduction interventions...

Retail Pharmacy Policy to End the Sale of Tobacco Products: What Is the Impact on Disparity in Neighborhood Density of Tobacco Outlets?

Population-level research on the implications of retail pharmacy policies to end the sale of tobacco products is scant, and the impact of such policies on racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities across neighborhoods in access to tobacco products remains unexplored. We investigated the association between neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco retail density in Rhode Island (RI; N = 240 census tracts). We also investigated whether the CVS Health (N = 60) policy to end the sale of tobacco products reduces the disparity in the density of tobacco retail across neighborhoods, and we conducted a prospective policy analysis to determine whether a similar policy change in all pharmacies in RI (N = 135) would reduce the disparity in tobacco retail density. The results revealed statistically significant associations between neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco retail outlet density across RI neighborhoods. The results when excluding the CVS Health locations, as well as all pharmacies as tobacco retailers, revealed no change in the pattern for this association. The results of this study suggest that while a commendable tobacco control policy, the CVS Health policy appears to have no impact on the neighborhood racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in the density of tobacco retailers in RI. Prospective policy analyses showed no impact on this disparity even if all other pharmacies in the state adopted a similar policy. Policy efforts aimed at reducing the disparity in access to tobacco products should focus on reducing the density of tobacco outlets in poor and racial/ethnic neighborhoods. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(9); 1305-10. ©2016 AACR.

Highlights of This Issue

To better understand the relationship between adiposity and renal cancer, Donin and colleagues reviewed the clinicopathologic records of 845 patients across 14 countries who were enrolled in a prospective, placebo-controlled study of adjuvant girentuximab treatment for high-risk renal cell carcinoma. The majority of patients (72%) were overweight/obese, and there was an inverse relationship between body mass index and lymph node involvement. These results suggest that obesity is associated with lower risk of lymphatic spread and improved overall survival for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.Tucker-Seeley and colleagues investigated whether the CVS Health policy to end the sale of tobacco products within their retail pharmacies reduced the disparity in the density of tobacco retail across neighborhoods. The results revealed statistically significant associations between neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco retail outlet density across neighborhoods, but there were no changes in the pattern of tobacco sales after the CVS pharmacy policy initiation. This study suggests that while a commendable tobacco control policy, the CVS Health policy appears to have no impact on the neighborhood racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in the density of tobacco retailers in Rhode Island.In this work, Garcia and colleagues examined whether pet ownership is associated with lower risk for total cancer and site-specific obesity-related cancers. The authors performed a prospective analysis of pet owners enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) observational study and clinical trials. There were no significant relationships between ownership of a dog, cat, or bird and incidence of cancer overall.Calo and colleagues sought to obtain the first national estimates of parents' support of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination school-entry requirements. Overall, 21% of parents agreed that laws requiring HPV vaccination for school attendance “are a good idea,” and 54% disagreed. If school-entry requirements included opt-out provisions, agreement increased to 57%, and only 21% disagreed. Opt-out provisions almost tripled parents' support for HPV vaccine school-entry requirements.

Smokers' Perceptions of the Relative Effectiveness of Five Tobacco Retail Reduction Policies.

Reducing the widespread retail availability of tobacco could help realize tobacco endgame strategies. We assessed New Zealand smokers' perceptions of five potential policies designed to reduce the retail supply of tobacco, relative to a "benchmark" policy of annual tobacco tax increases. A sample of 623 smokers was recruited from an internet panel. Participants evaluated one of six randomly assigned policy scenarios that would reduce tobacco outlet density: (1) no tobacco sold at alcohol on-licensed premises, (2) no tobacco sold within 500 m of a high school, (3) no tobacco sold within 1 km of any school, (4) tobacco sold only at pharmacies, and (5) tobacco sold only at half the existing liquor stores. Continued 10% annual tobacco tax increases served as a benchmark condition. Participants rated the likely effectiveness of one policy on preventing uptake by a 15-year-old susceptible never-smoker and supporting quitting by an adult smoker. Analyses involved pooled t tests and logistic regression. The policy scenarios in which tobacco was only sold at half the existing liquor stores or only at pharmacies were rated more likely to prevent youth smoking initiation, and at least as likely to help smokers to quit, relative to the benchmark policy. This is the first study to compare potential retail interventions against a measure known to reduce smoking prevalence. Policies that substantially reduce tobacco availability and remove it from smokers' usual places of purchase are perceived as being at least as effective in reducing smoking initiation and supporting cessation, as tax increases. Tobacco control advocates have proposed a range of policies to reduce tobacco retail outlet density, as part of endgame strategies. There are no published data on the relative effectiveness of different approaches, therefore it is unclear which would be most likely to reduce smoking prevalence. This study provides an insight into smokers' perspectives on the effectiveness of retail reduction strategies and indicates that some of these could be at least as effective in reducing initiation and promoting quitting as tax increases. Smokers' perceptions of the relative effectiveness of these policy options may help inform the advocacy efforts of the sector.

Tobacco retail outlet density and risk of youth smoking in New Zealand

IntroductionEvidence suggests inconsistent findings on the relationship between density of tobacco outlets around schools and risk of smoking among students. This study examines the density of tobacco outlets around secondary...

A cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between tobacco and alcohol outlet density and neighbourhood deprivation.

BackgroundThere is a strong socio-economic gradient in both tobacco-and alcohol-related harm. One possible factor contributing to this social gradient may be greater availability of tobacco and alcohol in more socially-deprived areas. A higher density of tobacco and alcohol outlets is not only likely to increase supply but also to raise awareness of tobacco/alcohol brands, create a competitive local market that reduces product costs, and influence local social norms relating to tobacco and alcohol consumption. This paper examines the association between the density of alcohol and tobacco outlets and neighbourhood-level income deprivation.MethodsUsing a national tobacco retailer register and alcohol licensing data this paper calculates the density of alcohol and tobacco retail outlets per 10,000 population for small neighbourhoods across the whole of Scotland. Average outlet density was calculated for neighbourhoods grouped by their level of income deprivation. Associations between outlet density and deprivation were analysed using one way analysis of variance.ResultsThere was a positive linear relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and outlets for both tobacco (p <0.001) and off-sales alcohol (p <0.001); the most deprived quintile of neighbourhoods had the highest densities of both. In contrast, the least deprived quintile had the lowest density of tobacco and both off-sales and on-sales alcohol outlets.ConclusionsThe social gradient evident in alcohol and tobacco supply may be a contributing factor to the social gradient in alcohol- and tobacco-related disease. Policymakers should consider such gradients when creating tobacco and alcohol control policies. The potential contribution to public health, and health inequalities, of reducing the physical availability of both alcohol and tobacco products should be examined in developing broader supply-side interventions.

A comparison of three policy approaches for tobacco retailer reduction

BackgroundThe Institute of Medicine recommends that public health agencies restrict the number and regulate the location of tobacco retailers as a means of reducing tobacco use. However, the best policy strategy for tobacco retailer reduction is unknown. PurposeThe purpose of this study is to test the percent reduction in the number and density of tobacco retailers in North Carolina resulting from three policies: (1) prohibiting sales of tobacco products in pharmacies or stores with a pharmacy counter, (2) restricting sales of tobacco products within 1000ft of schools, and (3) regulating to 500ft the minimum allowable distance between tobacco outlets. MethodsThis study uses data from two lists of tobacco retailers gathered in 2012, one at the statewide level, and another “gold standard” three-county list. Retailers near schools were identified using point and parcel boundaries in ArcMap. Python programming language generated a random lottery system to remove retailers within 500ft of each other. Analyses were conducted in 2014. ResultsA minimum allowable distance policy had the single greatest impact and would reduce density by 22.1% at the state level, or 20.8% at the county level (range 16.6% to 27.9%). Both a pharmacy and near-schools ban together would reduce density by 29.3% at the state level, or 29.7% at the county level (range 26.3 to 35.6%). ConclusionsThe implementation of policies restricting tobacco sales in pharmacies, near schools, and/or in close proximity to another tobacco retailer would substantially reduce the number and density of tobacco retail outlets.

Tobacco Retail Outlet Density and Young Adult Tobacco Initiation.

A growing body of evidence indicates that the density of tobacco retail outlets around the home residence may influence tobacco use among youth and adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of neighborhood tobacco retail outlet density on young adult initiation of different tobacco product types. Cross-sectional data from a 2013 nationally representative sample of young adults aged 18-34 was examined in relation to a 2012 geocoded listing of all outlets likely to sell tobacco in the United States. Separate multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between neighborhood outlet density and past 6 months first use of cigarettes, non-cigarette combustible products, and noncombustible products among adults aged 18-24 and 25-34. Outlet density was significantly associated with recent initiation of cigarettes and other combustibles, but this impact varied for younger and older groups. Increased density was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of initiating cigarette use among adults aged 25-34 (OR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.18, 11.90), and of initiating non-cigarette combustible use among 18-24 year olds (OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.03, 9.74). There was no impact of outlet density on recent noncombustible product initiation among either group. This study is the first to examine the impact of tobacco outlet density on young adult initiation of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Findings demonstrate that residential neighborhood outlet density is associated with recent initiation of combustible products and this effect varies by product type and age. The tobacco outlet environment may be a critical factor in promoting young adult tobacco use initiation.