Tobacco sales in community pharmacies: remote decisions and demographic targets

This study applied multilevel modeling procedures with data from 678 community pharmacies and 382 residential census tracts in a Midwestern U.S. state to determine if two sets of variables: retail type (e.g., remotely owned, independently owned) and population demographics of the tracts in which outlets were located were associated with retail tobacco availability in community pharmacies. Data were derived from three archival sources: listings of all retailers in Iowa who obtained tobacco licenses in year 2003; all pharmacies registered with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy in 2003; and year 2000 census data. Refuting previous research, multilevel logistic regression results of this study demonstrate that population demographics, as well as retail type, significantly predict whether a community pharmacy sold tobacco. Pharmacies selling tobacco were more likely to be remotely owned outlets and located in areas with higher percentages of African American residents and higher median income. Implications for environmentally focused prevention interventions are discussed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]