Which Tobacco Retailers are the Worst Offenders? Underage Tobacco Sales in Ohio, 2025.
cross_sectional · Level IV
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 42537915.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108524.
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Abstract
To investigate the prevalence of underage tobacco sales by retailer type (e.g., tobacco shop, convenience store) and independence (vs. non-independence). From March-September 2025, 5,238 purchase attempts were conducted with underage buyers (aged 18-20 years) in Ohio. Buyers used real-world purchasing strategies, including lying about their age. Overall, 22.6% of retailers sold tobacco, resulting in 1,186 tobacco products obtained by underage youth. The prevalence of underage sales differed by retailer type [χ<sup>2</sup>(7)=250.8, p<.001], with the highest prevalence among tobacco shops (31.6%), convenience stores (28.4%), and alcohol stores (26.4%). Underage sales were also more prevalent among independent stores (26.6%) versus non-independent stores (20.9%), [χ<sup>2</sup>(1)=20.3, p<.001]. With 1-in-5 tobacco retailers making underage tobacco sales, youth can easily access tobacco for personal use or distribution to peers. These findings underscore the need for stronger enforcement, as well as policies to reduce the number, density, and type of tobacco retailers.