The importance of income in the link between tobacco outlet density and demographics at the tract level of analysis in New Jersey

Abstract

This study analyzed associations between tobacco outlet density and demographic correlates (median household income and minority population percentages) within two New Jersey counties. The study was conducted using variables developed from state licenses for tobacco outlets and data from residential census tracts. Results showed that tracts with lower median household income and higher percentages of minority residents had greater densities of tobacco-selling retail outlets. Results also demonstrated that median household income was the strongest predictor of tobacco outlet density across both counties. Implications of the study and directions for future research, specifically the interaction between income and race/ethnicity, are discussed.