The effects of licensing and inspection enforcement to reduce tobacco sales to minors in Greater Philadelphia, 1994-1998.

This study examined the changes in tobacco sales to minors after active enforcement of merchant compliance to the Synar regulation and the city of Philadelphia Youth Access to Tobacco Ordinance 732. Data for the present study were obtained through Tobacco-free Education and Action Coalition for Health (TEACH) Program in a 5-year, follow-up retail compliance check survey of 1649 stores in 14 cluster areas of Philadelphia, PA. Trend analysis was conducted ofthe sales of tobacco to minors by type of retail outlet, gender, and age of the buyer, and gender, age, and race of the store clerk, and whether restriction policy signs were posted. Analysis indicates that there was a reduction in tobacco sales to minors after implementation of enforcement; sales dropped from 85% in 1994 to 43% in 1998. There were less sales to minors when signs were posted. There were differences in sales if the buyer was asked his or her age and whether the minor was asked to show identification. In addition, the age of the buyer and the brand of cigarettes were associated with sales. Future research should focus on both commercial and social availability and provision of tobacco to minors.

A study of young adults who provide tobacco products to minors.

Teens acquire tobacco from social sources. This study examined factors related to young adults providing tobacco products to minors. Variables such as demographics, rate and method of provision, attitudes toward provision, and youth access restriction laws were measured. A sample of 250 college students completed the survey. About 33.2% of those young adults were asked to provide tobacco to minors, and 30.8% of these students provided it. Students in health-related majors were as likely to be approached and to provide tobacco as were nonhealth majors. Males were more likely to be approached and to provide tobacco to minors than were females. Convenience stores and gas stations were the most popular locations. Young adults favored laws that restrict minors from purchasing tobacco, and their intention to give tobacco in the future was the best predictor of providing tobacco to minors.

A comparative analysis of perceived risks and substance abuse among ethnic groups.

This study examined perceived risks and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among ethnic groups of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics; compared the extent to which drug use varied among different ethnic groups; explored whether or not there were any age and gender differences in drug use among the ethnic groups; and made implications of the findings. Comparative analyses were conducted by using chi2 to determine the association of independent variables (ethnicity, age, and gender) with the dependent variables (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use) during lifetime, past year, and past month. Data were derived from the 1997 and 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Our findings indicated that there are differences in perceived risks and reported use among ethnic groups, as well as in preferences for particular drugs. Whites are the least likely to perceive risks for substance abuse, however, they have the highest prevalence of lifetime drug use of most types of drugs (with the exception of crack cocaine and heroin), as compared with Blacks and Hispanics. The examination of past month categories of drug use shows that Whites had the highest prevalence rates of alcohol and smokeless tobacco use. Hispanics were more likely to binge, and reported higher prevalence of heavy alcohol use. Blacks were more likely than Whites or Hispanics to use crack and heroin in their lifetime. Implications were made for future research and drug prevention in ethnic populations.