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. 2017 May;107(5):740-746.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303685.

Tobacco Town: Computational Modeling of Policy Options to Reduce Tobacco Retailer Density

Douglas A Luke  1 , Ross A Hammond  1 , Todd Combs  1 , Amy Sorg  1 , Matt Kasman  1 , Austen Mack-Crane  1 , Kurt M Ribisl  1 , Lisa Henriksen  1
Affiliations

Tobacco Town: Computational Modeling of Policy Options to Reduce Tobacco Retailer Density

Douglas A Luke et al. Am J Public Health. 2017 May.

Erratum in

  • ERRATUM.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Am J Public Health. 2017 Oct;107(10):e1. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303685e. Am J Public Health. 2017. PMID: 28902553 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the behavioral mechanisms and effects of tobacco control policies designed to reduce tobacco retailer density.

Methods: We developed the Tobacco Town agent-based simulation model to examine 4 types of retailer reduction policies: (1) random retailer reduction, (2) restriction by type of retailer, (3) limiting proximity of retailers to schools, and (4) limiting proximity of retailers to each other. The model examined the effects of these policies alone and in combination across 4 different types of towns, defined by 2 levels of population density (urban vs suburban) and 2 levels of income (higher vs lower).

Results: Model results indicated that reduction of retailer density has the potential to decrease accessibility of tobacco products by driving up search and purchase costs. Policy effects varied by town type: proximity policies worked better in dense, urban towns whereas retailer type and random retailer reduction worked better in less-dense, suburban settings.

Conclusions: Comprehensive retailer density reduction policies have excellent potential to reduce the public health burden of tobacco use in communities.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Relationship of Retailer Density and Overall Travel Plus Purchase Cost, With Smoothing Spline: Tobacco Town Agent-Based Simulation Model
FIGURE 2—
FIGURE 2—
Relative Overall Travel Plus Purchase Cost Increases by Type of Policy and by Town Type: Tobacco Town Agent-Based Simulation Model
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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