Cigarette price variation around high schools: evidence from Washington DC

Health Place. 2015 Jan:31:193-8. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.12.002. Epub 2015 Jan 5.

Abstract

This study examines lowest cigarette prices in all tobacco retail outlets in Washington D.C. (n=750) in relation to the type and number of high schools nearby, controlling for confounders. The lowest overall and Newport menthol prices were significantly lower at outlets near public non-charter and charter schools compared with outlets near private schools. Given higher smoking prevalence and more price-sensitive youth subgroups in U.S. public schools, exposure to low prices may contribute to tobacco-related health disparities in minority and low-income populations. Tobacco taxes combined with policies to minimize the increasing use of price as a marketing tool are critical.

Keywords: Schools; Tobacco control; Tobacco industry marketing; Tobacco pricing; Youth tobacco use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • District of Columbia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Schools*
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Tobacco Products / economics*