title: Proximity to a tobacco store and smoking cessation: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is not clear whether the availability of tobacco affects the likelihood of smoking cessation. We examined whether the proximity to a tobacco store and the number of stores were associated with smoking cessation, and compared results for proximity variables based on walking and straight-line (as the crow flies) distance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 8751 baseline smokers from the Finnish Public Sector study in 1997-2005. Smoking intensity (cigarettes/day) was determined at baseline and smoking cessation was determined from a follow-up survey in 2008-2009. Proximity was measured using straight-line and walking distance from home to the nearest tobacco store, and another exposure variable was the number of stores within 0.50 km from home. We calculated associations with log-binomial regression models, adjusting for individual-level and area-level confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the participants, 3482 (39.8%) quit smoking during the follow-up (mean follow-up 5.5 years, SD 2.3 years). Among men who were moderate/heavy smokers at baseline and lived <0.50 km walking distance from the nearest tobacco store, the likelihood of smoking cessation was 27% (95% CI 12% to 40%) lower compared with those living ≥0.50 km from a store. Having even one store within 0.50 km walking distance from home decreased cessation in men who were moderate/heavy smokers by 37% (95% CI 19% to 51%). No decrease was found for men who were light smokers at baseline or for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Living within walking distance of a tobacco store reduced the likelihood of smoking cessation among men who were moderate/heavy smokers.
authors: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, , Kuopio, Turku and Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Jaana I
authors: JI
authors: Halonen
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Kivimäki
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Kouvonen
authors: Jaana
authors: J
authors: Pentti
authors: Ichiro
authors: I
authors: Kawachi
authors: S V
authors: SV
authors: Subramanian
authors: Jussi
authors: J
authors: Vahtera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003132:Commerce; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D019460:Tobacco Industry; D062789:Tobacco Products; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder; D016138:Walking
keywords: Cessation; Environment; Public policy