Abstract CT087: A geospatial approach to explore the socioecological context of tobacco and vape shop locations
Authors: Kimlin T. Ashing, Brian Tiep, Jonjon Macalintal, Sophia Yeung, Timothy O'Connor, Bin Xie, Udochukwu Obodo, Ming-Hsiang Tsou, Gaole Song, Faith Abuan, Christyl Dawson
Journal: Cancer Research (2020)

Abstract Introduction: Despite growing public health efforts to discourage teens from using hazardous tobacco products, their use of ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery system) remain piqued due to direct youth targeting by tobacco and vaping companies. ENDs especially e-cigs most often have a fruit or candy flavor that are particularly attractive to young people and may have high nicotine - which is highly addicting. Methods: 1) analyzed national/local nicotine product use in youth by gender, age, and racial/ethnic groups, 2) explored socio-ecological context of tobacco/vape shops via geo-spatial mapping within Los Angeles Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), 3) conducted environmental scan of social media platforms combined with Google and Yellow Pages searches. Results: Population level results were drawn from US Census, 2013-2017 American Community Survey (ACS) and California Tobacco Facts and Figures, 2019. 13.5% middle schoolers and 37.7% high schoolers reported ever using e-cigarettes. Use of basic or disposable devices was associated with younger age especially among Latinos (5% reported use in the past month compared to &amp;lt; 3% among other ethnicities). To explore socioecological contexts of tobacco and vape shops in SPA 3. Regardless of income, a higher number of tobacco and vape shops appear to correspond with higher percentage ethnic minorities. Lower income cities tended to have more tobacco and vape shops compared to very high-income cities. Tobacco products cost less in neighborhoods with a lower median household income and in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Hispanic residents, even after adjusting for store type.Additionally, prior to the presentation, we will conduct geospatial mapping analysis: We will utilize open GIS software (QGIS) and open web map tools (Leaflet) to geocode locations of smoke/vape shops and overlay them with city demography to illustrate their spatial relationships and proximity to various neighborhoods. Discussion: Sustained implementation of population-based tobacco, including vaping, prevention and control strategies, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, are critical to reducing tobacco use including vaping and initiation among all U.S. population especially ethnic minorities and youths. There are associations of Tobacco Products marketing (price, placement, promotion, or product availability) with a neighborhood demographic (socioeconomic challenged, minority race/ethnicity and high traffic volume). Vape shops are more likely to be concentrated in low resourced communities with less political clout - these areas tend to be minority dense with fewer restrictions. Findings could inform initiatives aimed at a stronger licensing requirement for vape shops and federal and state-level regulations of this industry to prevent tobacco/vape shop from targeting minority and other socially challenged groups. Citation Format: Kimlin T. Ashing, Brian Tiep, Jonjon Macalintal, Sophia Yeung, Timothy O'Connor, Bin Xie, Udochukwu Obodo, Ming-Hsiang Tsou, Gaole Song, Faith Abuan, Christyl Dawson. A geospatial approach to explore the socioecological context of tobacco and vape shop locations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT087.