Retail marketing for chewing tobacco in Los Angeles, California.

Introduction: Retail marketing for chewing tobacco may be different across racial/ethnic neighborhoods, possibly leading to diverging patterns of use and disparate health risks relating to consumption. This study aimed to compare the frequencies of available chewing tobacco, available flavored chewing tobacco, price promotions, and exterior advertisements in tobacco retail stores in Los Angeles, California.

Methods: In-person observational audits from tobacco retail stores (n=679) located in predominantly non-Hispanic White (n=196), non-Hispanic Black/African American (n=194), Hispanic/Latino (n=189), or Korean American (n=100) neighborhoods were conducted between January 2016 and April 2017.

Results: There were statistically significant associations (p<0.001) between racial/ethnic neighborhood and chewing tobacco marketing, where retailers located in non-Hispanic White neighborhoods sold and advertised chewing tobacco and flavored chewing tobacco, used price promotions, and displayed exterior advertisements more frequently than retailers located in African American, Korean American, and Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods.

Conclusions: Stronger restrictions on chewing tobacco, price promotions and flavored versions could mitigate exposure and access to these products in the retail environment.