Spatial Clustering of Hookah Lounges, Vape Shops, and All Tobacco Retailers Near Colleges

Abstract

Introduction: US college students smoke hookah and vape nicotine at higher rates than other young adults. Density and/or proximity of hookah lounges and vape shops near colleges has been described, but this study is the first to test whether tobacco retailers spatially cluster near college campuses.

Aims and methods: We created and linked spatial shapefiles for community colleges and 4-year colleges in California with lists of hookah lounges, vape shops, and licensed tobacco retailers. We simulated 100 datasets, placing hookah lounges, vape shops, and tobacco retailers randomly in census tracts in proportion to population density. A modified version of Ripley's K-function was computed using the radius (r) from each retailer within retail category.

Results: In 2018-2019, 50.5% of hookah lounges (n = 479), 42.5% of vape shops (n = 2467), and 42.0% of all tobacco retailers (n = 31 100) were located within 3 miles of a community college. Spatial clustering was significant (p < .05) from at least 0.4 miles for hookah lounges, 0.1 mile for vape shops, and 0.3 miles for all tobacco retailers. For 4-year colleges, approximately 46.8% of hookah lounges, 31.3% of vape shops, and 31.6% of all tobacco retailers were located within 3 miles. Clustering was significant from 0.2 miles for hookah lounges and 1.3 miles for all tobacco retailers but was not significant for vape shops.

Conclusions: Evidence that some types of tobacco retailers cluster near community colleges and 4-year colleges implies greater accessibility and exposure to advertising for students. It is also concerning because a higher probability of underage tobacco sales presumably exists near colleges.

Implications: Prior studies infer that hookah lounges and vape shops cluster near colleges from the density and closer proximity to campuses. This study modified a traditional test of spatial clustering and considered community colleges separately from 4-year universities. Spatial clustering of hookah lounges and all licensed tobacco retailers was evident near both types of campuses, but vape shops clustered only near community colleges. Place-based strategies to limit tobacco retail density could expand state and local laws that prohibit tobacco sales near schools to include retailers near college campuses. In addition, college environments should be a target for reducing hookah smoking and nicotine vaping.