Vape stores in Western Australia: growth, proximity to schools and socio-economic gradient of density

OBJECTIVE

To audit the number and location of dedicated e-cigarette retailers ("vape stores") in Western Australian (WA), measure proximity to schools and model the association between vape store density and socio-economic disadvantage.

METHODS

Vape stores were identified via internet search and geocoded. Proximity to schools was measured. Regression modelling was used to investigate the association between vape store density and socio-economic disadvantage.

RESULTS

194 stores were identified, with 88% located within one kilometre of a school. In metropolitan WA, vape store density was nearly seven times higher in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas than in the least disadvantaged areas (rate ratio 6.9, 95% confidence interval 3.4-15.5).

CONCLUSIONS

There has been rapid, recent growth in the number of vape stores in WA, with most located within walking distance of schools. In metropolitan WA, vape store density is strongly associated with socio-economic disadvantage, mirroring the pattern observed globally for tobacco outlets.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

This is the first Australian study demonstrating that vape stores are more densely located in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Vape stores' proximity to schools may increase young people's access and exposure to promotional signage. There is a need to address ready e-cigarette availability through strong regulatory and compliance measures.

Tobacco mythbusting-tobacco is not a major driver of foot traffic in low socio-economic small retail stores

BACKGROUND

One of the opposing arguments to restricting or banning the sale of tobacco products stem from a perception that this would adversely impact on small retail stores that rely on tobacco sales for viability. It has also been argued that purchases of tobacco leads to unplanned purchasing of other items that yield income for small store owners. This study tested the veracity of these arguments in the Australian context.

METHODS

Consumer intercept surveys (n=1487) were conducted outside a comprehensive sample of small stores (n=136) selling tobacco in lower socioeconomic suburbs. Data were collected over a 2-hour period outside each store using the same methodology (36% consumer response rate). Descriptive statistics examined the proportion of tobacco and non-tobacco purchases and most common products purchased.

RESULTS

Purchasing tobacco was the primary motivation for store visits for only 3% of consumers. The vast majority of products purchased (92%) were not tobacco, with hot food, groceries and lottery tickets most frequent. Only 8% of consumers purchased tobacco. When unplanned purchasing patterns were compared, consumers' who purchased tobacco were no more likely to buy other products.

CONCLUSION

Tobacco purchasing was rarely the reason for store visits, indicating that it is not a key driver of consumer foot traffic for small retailers. There was also no evidence that tobacco contributes to spontaneous purchases of other products that might bring retailers profit. Findings suggest that restricting the retail availability of tobacco would be unlikely to have a pronounced negative impact on small retail stores.

Characteristics of People with Dementia vs Other Conditions on Admission to Inpatient Palliative Care

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to (1) describe the clinical characteristics and symptoms of people diagnosed with dementia at the time of admission to inpatient palliative care; and (2) compare the nature and severity of these palliative care-related problems to patients with other chronic diseases.

DESIGN

Descriptive study using assessment data on point of care outcomes (January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018).

SETTING

A total of 129 inpatient palliative care services participating in the Australian Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 29,971 patients with a primary diagnosis of dementia (n = 1,872), lung cancer (n = 19,499), cardiovascular disease (CVD, n = 5,079), stroke (n = 2,659), or motor neuron disease (MND, n = 862).

MEASUREMENTS

This study reported the data collected at the time of admission to inpatient palliative care services including patients' self-rated levels of distress from seven common physical symptoms, clinician-rated symptom severity, functional dependency, and performance status. Other data analyzed included number of admissions, length of inpatient stay, and palliative care phases.

RESULTS

At the time of admission to inpatient palliative care services, relative to patients with lung cancer, CVD, and MND, people with dementia presented with lower levels of distress from most symptoms (odds ratios [ORs] range from .15 to .80; P < .05 for all) but higher levels of functional impairment (ORs range from 3.02 to 8.62; P < .001 for all), and they needed more assistance with basic activities of daily living (ORs range from 3.83 to 12.24; P < .001 for all). The trends were mostly the opposite direction when compared with stroke patients. Patients with dementia tended to receive inpatient palliative care later than those with lung cancer and MND.

CONCLUSION

The unique pattern of palliative care problems experienced by people with dementia, as well as the skills of the relevant health services, need to be considered when deciding on the best location of care for each individual. Access to appropriately trained palliative care clinicians is important for people with high levels of physical or psychological concerns, irrespective of the care setting or diagnosis. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1825-1833, 2020.

Unplanned purchasing of tobacco products: Beyond point of sale display

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Tobacco products remain widely available and unplanned purchasing of tobacco has been implicated in cessation relapse. Little is known however about the frequency of consumers' unplanned tobacco purchases or the type of retail outlets where this is more likely to occur.

METHODS

Questions on cigarette purchasing were added to a post-campaign telephone survey for the Make Smoking History Campaign in Western Australia. Respondents (n=200) were aged 25 to 54 years and were either current smokers or had quit in the last 4-5 weeks. Two-thirds of respondents had tried to quit in the past 2 years. Survey responses were analysed to look at place of purchase (the usual and after cessation relapse) and frequency and reasons for unplanned purchases.

RESULTS

Supermarkets were the "usual" purchase location for the majority of respondents overall (78%), but the proportion who reported buying cigarettes from a supermarket after taking up smoking again declined substantially (52%), while purchases from convenience stores and service stations increased. Nearly a third (30%) of respondents indicated that they sometimes bought cigarettes unplanned or on impulse, and for 16%, this was at least once a week.

CONCLUSIONS

Among smokers who have tried to quit but not succeeded, unplanned cigarette purchases are common. There is evidence to suggest that when people resume smoking after a cessation attempt, the cigarette purchase is not necessarily made at their "usual" type of retail outlet. SO WHAT?: The banning of point of sale tobacco display has not eliminated the pervasive availability and retail presence of tobacco, and unplanned purchasing of cigarettes is an impediment to successful smoking cessation. This study adds weight to growing momentum internationally and in Australia to reduce the widespread availability of tobacco products and decrease the barriers to quitting use of a product that kills over half of its consumers.