How Retail Environments Encourage Smoking, Vaping, or Chewing

We believe that whoever you are—no matter your race, class, job, zip code, or background—you should have the chance to live free from the harmful effects of commercial tobacco.  

Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for everyone. In some communities, kids see more posters for candy-flavored commercial tobacco and nicotine products, placed for them to easily see. Many communities are deliberately targeted by tobacco industry advertising.

Predatory marketing tactics by the tobacco industry is a historical, yet ongoing issue—they’re harmful strategies that market in low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods, where people may already face barriers like stress, trauma, and fewer opportunities in housing, education, and jobs. Commercial tobacco use is often used to cope and destress, which makes the problem even worse.

We sought to understand how people in Northeast Minnesota experience targeted marketing by the tobacco industry. Through partnership with the American Lung Association and the Northeast Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), over 200 retailer audits were conducted across seven counties. We looked at the price, placement, product, and promotion of commercial tobacco products in small towns, rural areas, and urban neighborhoods. Our findings further confirm what we already know: commercial tobacco retail environments are fueling a cycle of nicotine dependence, and the effects are more damaging to some communities than others.  

But here's the good news: It’s possible to break the cycle.

Many cities and counties across Minnesota have passed regulations that give everyone a fair chance to live commercial tobacco-free. When people make decisions about their health, their choices are often shaped by their environment and their community. Restrictions like these passed in local cities and counties can save lives and help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Learn more about what you and your community can do.

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