Standardized Tobacco Assessment for Retail Settings (STARS)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Conducting a Windshield Assessment is a critical component in developing a Community Needs Assessment with the goal of reducing negative health outcomes regarding tobacco use in Albany, GA.
METHODS: To begin the assessment of tobacco use and distribution in Albany, GA a windshield assessment was conducted as of 2021. 3 teams of 2-3 researchers visited a random sample of 64 out of 195 active tobacco retailers (~31%) to evaluate both interior and exterior marketing of tobacco products over the course of two days. Specific criteria evaluated included visibility of products, display of graphic health warning signs, proximity to other non-tobacco related products, price promotions, flavored products and relative prices (including mentholated products), etc. The products evaluated included all tobacco products and excluded non-tobacco smoking products. 36 item surveys were conducted by the researchers only by means of observation. Once collected, the data was exported from Qualtrics to the STARS Excel Data Entry Template which was used to compute outcomes.
RESULTS: Evaluation of this assessment revealed that 59% of retailers evaluated did not display graphic health warnings for tobacco related products. For both flavored and nonflavored products, cigarillos/little cigars and chew, moist/dry snuff, dip, or snus were the most commonly sold products among evaluated retailers. The cheapest reported cigarette cost $4.35 prior to sales tax, and $4.70 after sales tax. 81.3% have a cheaper option of cigarettes for customers to choose from. Inappropriate advertisement includes advertisement of tobacco products within 3 feet of the floor and/or within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 9% had tobacco products within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 14.1% of tobacco retailers had an E-cigarette ad within 3 feet of the floor, and 10.9% of observed stores had E-cigarette advertisement within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 89% of retailers evaluated sold Menthol Cigarettes, 50% of which had at least one menthol cigarette price promotion.
CONCLUSION: The windshield assessment results suggest that the majority of Albany, GA retailers have inappropriate sale of tobacco related products, increasing capacity for misuse of tobacco related products as well as increasing likelihood of tobacco related health disparities.
Keywords
Standardized Tobacco Assessment for Retail Settings, Rural
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Standardized Tobacco Assessment for Retail Settings (STARS)
INTRODUCTION: Conducting a Windshield Assessment is a critical component in developing a Community Needs Assessment with the goal of reducing negative health outcomes regarding tobacco use in Albany, GA.
METHODS: To begin the assessment of tobacco use and distribution in Albany, GA a windshield assessment was conducted as of 2021. 3 teams of 2-3 researchers visited a random sample of 64 out of 195 active tobacco retailers (~31%) to evaluate both interior and exterior marketing of tobacco products over the course of two days. Specific criteria evaluated included visibility of products, display of graphic health warning signs, proximity to other non-tobacco related products, price promotions, flavored products and relative prices (including mentholated products), etc. The products evaluated included all tobacco products and excluded non-tobacco smoking products. 36 item surveys were conducted by the researchers only by means of observation. Once collected, the data was exported from Qualtrics to the STARS Excel Data Entry Template which was used to compute outcomes.
RESULTS: Evaluation of this assessment revealed that 59% of retailers evaluated did not display graphic health warnings for tobacco related products. For both flavored and nonflavored products, cigarillos/little cigars and chew, moist/dry snuff, dip, or snus were the most commonly sold products among evaluated retailers. The cheapest reported cigarette cost $4.35 prior to sales tax, and $4.70 after sales tax. 81.3% have a cheaper option of cigarettes for customers to choose from. Inappropriate advertisement includes advertisement of tobacco products within 3 feet of the floor and/or within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 9% had tobacco products within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 14.1% of tobacco retailers had an E-cigarette ad within 3 feet of the floor, and 10.9% of observed stores had E-cigarette advertisement within 12 inches of toys, candy, gum, slushy/soda machines or ice cream. 89% of retailers evaluated sold Menthol Cigarettes, 50% of which had at least one menthol cigarette price promotion.
CONCLUSION: The windshield assessment results suggest that the majority of Albany, GA retailers have inappropriate sale of tobacco related products, increasing capacity for misuse of tobacco related products as well as increasing likelihood of tobacco related health disparities.
