BACKGROUND: This study is based on a community participatory research (CBPR) partnership between a youth group and a local university to explore whether greater regulation of tobacco permits would reduce the density of tobacco outlets overall, and particularly in low-income, high minority neighbourhoods in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. METHODS: Applying Geographic Information Systems and regression analyses to neighbourhood demographics and the location of stores selling tobacco and alcohol, the study predicts the density of tobacco outlets as compared to alcohol outlets at the neighborhood block group level and in relation to the location and demographic composition of public schools. RESULTS: This study found that there are more than double the number of stores that sell tobacco as compared to alcohol in the city of Worcester. For every alcohol vendor there was a 41% increase in the estimated number of tobacco vendors, independent of the effect of other variables. The likelihood of having a tobacco outlet located near a school was greater than having an alcohol outlet as the percentage of minority students in schools increases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, the authors conclude that to reduce the impact of tobacco on socially and economically disadvantaged communities, the issuing of tobacco permits requires more regulation and oversight and should take into consideration the density and actual location of other licensees in an area.
BACKGROUND: This study is based on a community participatory research (CBPR) partnership between a youth group and a local university to explore whether greater regulation of tobacco permits would reduce the density of tobacco outlets overall, and particularly in low-income, high minority neighbourhoods in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. METHODS: Applying Geographic Information Systems and regression analyses to neighbourhood demographics and the location of stores selling tobacco and alcohol, the study predicts the density of tobacco outlets as compared to alcohol outlets at the neighborhood block group level and in relation to the location and demographic composition of public schools. RESULTS: This study found that there are more than double the number of stores that sell tobacco as compared to alcohol in the city of Worcester. For every alcohol vendor there was a 41% increase in the estimated number of tobacco vendors, independent of the effect of other variables. The likelihood of having a tobacco outlet located near a school was greater than having an alcohol outlet as the percentage of minority students in schools increases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, the authors conclude that to reduce the impact of tobacco on socially and economically disadvantaged communities, the issuing of tobacco permits requires more regulation and oversight and should take into consideration the density and actual location of other licensees in an area.
Authors: Peter F Craigmile; Nathaniel Onnen; Elli Schwartz; Allison Glasser; Megan E Roberts Journal: Tob Control Date: 2020-08-21 Impact factor: 7.552
Authors: Louise Marsh; Pavla Vaneckova; Lindsay Robertson; Trent O Johnson; Crile Doscher; Ilana G Raskind; Nina C Schleicher; Lisa Henriksen Journal: Health Place Date: 2020-03-05 Impact factor: 4.078
Authors: David O Fakunle; Frank C Curriero; Philip J Leaf; Debra M Furr-Holden; Roland J Thorpe Journal: Ethn Health Date: 2019-05-24 Impact factor: 2.732
Authors: Anna M Adachi-Mejia; Heather A Carlos; Ethan M Berke; Susanne E Tanski; James D Sargent Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2012-09-01 Impact factor: 2.692