Inequities in tobacco retailer sales to minors by neighbourhood racial/ethnic composition, poverty and segregation, USA, 2015

Abstract

Objective Tobacco retailers are an important source of tobacco products for minors. Previous research shows racial discrimination in sales to minors, but no national study has examined neighborhood correlates of retailer underage sales. Methods We accessed publicly available results of 2015 FDA inspections of tobacco retailers (n=108,614). In this cross-sectional study, we used multilevel logistic regression to predict the likelihood of retailer sale to a minor based on tract characteristics. We assessed the proportion of residents identifying as American Indian, Asian, Black, Latino, and White; isolation index scores for each racial/ethnic group; the proportion of people less than age 65 living in poverty; and, the proportion of residents age 10–17 in relation to retailer inspection results. Results The proportion of American Indian residents, Black residents, Latino residents, and residents less than age 65 under the poverty line in a neighborhood are independently, positively associated with the likelihood that a retailer in that neighborhood will fail an underage buy inspection. The proportion of White residents and residents age 10–17 are independently, negatively associated with the likelihood of sale of tobacco products to a minor. Isolation index scores show a similar pattern. In multivariable models holding neighborhood characteristics constant, higher proportions of Black (+), Latino (+), and age 10–17 (−) residents remained significant predictors of the likelihood of underage sale. Discussion Regulatory agencies should consider oversampling retailers in areas with higher likelihood of sales to minors for inspection. Interventions with tobacco retailers to reduce inequities in youth access should be implemented.

Association between federal and California state policy violation among vape shops and neighbourhood composition in Southern California

“…The current study showed that vape shop federal and state policy compliance in California was greater in neighbourhoods with higher proportions of white residents, consistent with the findings in other types of tobacco retailer shops (eg, tobacco shops, non-franchised shops, convenience stores) that sold combustible tobacco products. [12][13][14] While vape shops claim to offer a means of harm reduction, in contrast to the tobacco industry, 23 their patterns of non-compliance suggest that they may be exacerbating health disparities by exposing minority communities to greater risk. The presence of legal age signage was a notable finding.…”

“…12 Similar studies involving FDA inspection data across the USA have also shown that underage sales of tobacco were positively related to the proportion of residents with black and Latino ethnicities, adjusting for other neighbourhood variables. 13 Point-of-sale tobacco marketing is more prevalent in rural areas and in neighbourhoods with lower income and more black residents. 14 Recent studies on tobacco and vape shops in Colorado, 15 California, 16 Illinois, New York and Florida 17 documented violation of vape products sales to minors comparable to that of the combustible cigarettes.…”

Gender Differences in U.S. Adolescent E-Cigarette Use

“…Future studies should also assess other subgroup differences in e-cigarette use, such as socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic and sexual minority groups. These subgroups have been traditionally targeted by the tobacco industry [59–61]. …”

Disparities in retail marketing for little cigars and cigarillos in Los Angeles, California

“…The geographical separation of individuals on the basis of race/ethnicity and SES is a fundamental cause for the tobacco industry's targeted marketing to demographic groups (i.e., African Americans, low-income individuals) most severely impacted by combustible tobacco use ( Yerger et al, 2007 ). To inform FDA cigar regulations, surveillance of retail marketing for LCCs in neighborhoods that have been racially targeted by tobacco marketing ( Lee, Landrine, Torres, & Gregory, 2016 ) is warranted. Specifically, we examined LCC availability, advertising, price promotions, and product placement overall, by store type, and racial/ethnic neighborhoods (Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Korean American, and non-Hispanic White).…”