Dataset Information

A comparison of three policy approaches for tobacco retailer reduction.

ABSTRACT: The 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.The 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 1000 ft of schools, and (3) regulating to 500 ft the minimum allowable distance between tobacco outlets.This 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 500 ft of each other. Analyses were conducted in 2014.A 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%).The 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.

SUBMITTER: Myers AE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4563823 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A comparison of three policy approaches for tobacco retailer reduction.

Myers Allison E AE Hall Marissa G MG Isgett Lisa F LF Ribisl Kurt M KM

Preventive medicine 20150214

<h4>Background</h4>The 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.<h4>Purpose</h4>The 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 ...[more]

PMID: 25689540

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Project description:IntroductionIn the United States, tens of thousands of inspections of tobacco retailers are conducted each year. Various sampling choices can reduce travel costs, emphasize enforcement in areas with greater noncompliance, and allow for comparability between states and over time. We sought to develop a model sampling strategy for state tobacco retailer inspections.MethodsUsing a 2014 list of 10,161 North Carolina tobacco retailers, we compared results from simple random sampling; stratified, clustered at the ZIP code sampling; and, stratified, clustered at the census tract sampling. We conducted a simulation of repeated sampling and compared approaches for their comparative level of precision, coverage, and retailer dispersion.ResultsWhile maintaining an adequate design effect and statistical precision appropriate for a public health enforcement program, both stratified, clustered ZIP- and tract-based approaches were feasible. Both ZIP and tract strategies yielded improvements over simple random sampling, with relative improvements, respectively, of average distance between retailers (reduced 5.0% and 1.9%), percent Black residents in sampled neighborhoods (increased 17.2% and 32.6%), percent Hispanic residents in sampled neighborhoods (reduced 2.2% and increased 18.3%), percentage of sampled retailers located near schools (increased 61.3% and 37.5%), and poverty rate in sampled neighborhoods (increased 14.0% and 38.2%).ConclusionsStates can make retailer inspections more efficient and targeted with stratified, clustered sampling. Use of statistically appropriate sampling strategies like these should be considered by states, researchers, and the Food and Drug Administration to improve program impact and allow for comparisons over time and across states.ImplicationsThe authors present a model tobacco retailer sampling strategy for promoting compliance and reducing costs that could be used by US states and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The design is feasible to implement in North Carolina. Use of the sampling design would help document the impact of FDA's compliance and enforcement program, save money, and emphasize inspections in areas where they are needed most. FDA should consider requiring probability-based sampling in their inspections contracts with states and private contractors.

Dataset Information

A comparison of three policy approaches for tobacco retailer reduction.

Publications

A comparison of three policy approaches for tobacco retailer reduction.

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