Tobacco-Free Pharmacy Laws and Trends in Tobacco Retailer Density in California and Massachusetts

Am J Public Health. 2016 Apr;106(4):679-85. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.303040. Epub 2016 Feb 18.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the impact of local laws prohibiting tobacco sales in pharmacies in California and Massachusetts, the only 2 US states in which such municipal laws exist.

Methods: We analyzed longitudinally the tobacco retailer density at the city level from tobacco retailer license data in California (2005-2013) and Massachusetts (2004-2014).

Results: After adjustments, the reduction in tobacco retailer density over time was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37, 1.51) to 3.18 (95% CI = 1.11, 5.25) times greater in cities with a tobacco-free pharmacy law than in cities without such a law.

Conclusions: Tobacco-free pharmacy laws are associated with a greater reduction in tobacco retailer density over time in California and Massachusetts.

MeSH terms

  • California
  • Commerce / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Commerce / trends
  • Humans
  • Licensure / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Massachusetts
  • Pharmacies / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Smoking / trends
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Tobacco Products / supply & distribution*