Exposure to Tobacco Retail Outlets and Smoking Initiation among New York City Adolescents

Abstract

This study was designed to estimate the relationship between exposure to tobacco retail outlets and smoking initiation in a racially diverse urban setting. Using data from the 2011 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the exposure-initiation relationship and test for effect modification, while controlling for covariates. The predicted probability of smoking initiation from the multivariable model increased from 7.7 % for zero times a week exposed to tobacco retailers to 16.0 % for exposure seven times or more per week. The odds of initiation were significantly higher among adolescents exposed to tobacco retail outlets two times or more a week compared with those exposed less often (AOR=1.41; 95 % CI: 1.08, 1.84). Risk-taking behavior modified the relationship between exposure and initiation, with the odds of initiation highest among those low in risk-taking (AOR=1.78; 95 % CI: 1.14, 1.56). These results are consistent with past research, showing that frequent exposure to tobacco marketing in retail settings is associated with increased odds of initiation. Reducing exposure to tobacco retail marketing could play an important role in curtailing smoking among adolescents, especially those less prone to risk-taking.

Tobacco outlet density, retailer cigarette sales without ID checks and enforcement of underage tobacco laws: associations with youths’ cigarette smoking and beliefs

“…That is, lifetime smoking by adolescents was greater in cities with higher outlet density. This is also consistent with results of another study which found that adolescents who visited tobacco outlets two or more times per week had greater odds of smoking initiation (36). Our results also showed that tobacco outlet density was related to youths’ tobacco beliefs, such that greater density was associated with greater perceived cigarette availability and with lower perceived enforcement of underage tobacco policies.…”

Point-of-sale tobacco promotion and youth smoking: a meta-analysis

“…Several potentially relevant articles identified during the literature search process did not meet inclusion criteria, including a study with a college student sample;11 studies using an exposure measure that included but was not specific to POS marketing;12 13 studies assessing the relationship between smoking and exposure to tobacco advertising in general,14 and studies investigating access to tobacco retailers and smoking 15 16…”

The Influence of Religious Attendance on Smoking

“…Furthermore, it is not uncommon for middle-aged Americans to experience job instability (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) and job loss (Dupre, George, Liu, & Peterson, 2012) during this stage of life, which can be concerning when considering the linkages between stress, poverty, and smoking that have been documented (Perettti-Watel & Constance, 2009; Shuaib et al, 2011). Given the socioeconomic challenges faced by many middle-aged Americans, coupled with the potential for increased exposure to environmental cues to smoke such as high concentrations of tobacco outlets (Peterson et al, 2011; Rodriguez, Carlos, Adachi-Mejia, Berke, & Sargent, 2012; Yu, Peterson, Sheffer, Reidm, & Schnieder, 2010) and tobacco advertising (Johns, Sacks, Rane, & Kansagra, 2013) in urban settings, identifying factors that protect against tobacco use among urban middle-aged persons is warranted. The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of religious attendance on smoking status over time among a diverse sample of middle-aged lifetime smokers who reside in an urban setting.…”