Youth Tobacco Sales in a Metropolitan County: Factors Associated With Compliance
Objective
To describe and identify factors associated with tobacco sales in a metropolitan county.
Setting
King County, Washington is the largest county in Washington State with an estimated population of 1.8 million or about 30% of the state’s population.
Data Source
The data analysis is based on compliance checks in King County between January 2001 and March 2005. The 8879 checks were conducted by 91 youth operatives aged 14–17. Analysis of data was completed in 2006.
Statistical Analysis
The outcome variable for this analysis was whether “a sale was made” to a youth operative during a compliance check. Associations between independent variables and the outcome variable were examined using 2 × 2 tables, univariate (unadjusted) logistic regression, and multivariate (adjusted) logistic regression analysis.
Results
Overall tobacco sales during the 4-year and 3-month period was 7.7%. Convenience stores selling gas were significantly more likely to sell tobacco products to minors, whereas restaurants, bars, and tobacco discount stores were less likely to sell to minors. Other factors that were significantly associated with sales are described.
Conclusions
In a county that has adopted many of the required youth access laws, opportunities still exist to reduce sales of tobacco products to minors. Asking for age and photo identification still appears to be an effective strategy in reducing sales of tobacco products to minors.
aAngulo-Group Health Community Foundation, Seattle, Washington
bValdez-Seattle and King County Public Health, Seattle, Washington
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Dave Pearson, PhD, Group Health Community Foundation, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1500, Seattle WA 98012.
ABSTRACT