title: The availability of electronic cigarettes in U.S. retail outlets, 2012: results of two national studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since their introduction in 2007, electronic cigarette ('e-cigarette') awareness and use has grown rapidly. Little is known about variation in e-cigarette availability across areas with different levels of tobacco taxes and smoke-free air policies. This paper looks at US retail availability of e-cigarettes and factors at the store, neighbourhood and policy levels associated with it.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-person store audit data collected in 2012 came from two national samples of tobacco retailers in the contiguous US. Study 1 collected data from a nationally representative sample of tobacco retailers (n=2165). Study 2 collected data from tobacco retailers located in school enrolment zones for nationally representative samples of 8th, 10th and 12th grade public school students (n=2526).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, e-cigarette retail availability was 34% in study 1 and 31% in study 2. Tobacco, pharmacy and gas/convenience stores were more likely to sell e-cigarettes than beer/wine/liquor stores. Retail availability of e-cigarettes was more likely in neighbourhoods with higher median household income (study 1), and lower percent of African-American (studies 1 and 2) and Hispanic residents (study 2). Price of traditional cigarettes was inversely related to e-cigarette availability. Stores in states with an American Lung Association Smoke-Free Air grade of F (study 1) or D (study 2) compared with A had increased likelihood of having e-cigarettes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Currently, e-cigarette availability appears more likely in areas with weak tax and smoke-free air policies. Given the substantial availability of e-cigarettes at tobacco retailers nationwide, states and localities should monitor the sales and marketing of e-cigarettes at point of sale (POS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Shyanika W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Barker Bi-Coastal Health Consultants, Inc., Calabasas, California, USA.
authors.forename: Dianne C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Tamkeen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Health Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Jidong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA Health Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chaloupka
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ribisl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D003132:Commerce; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000191:economics; D004581:Electronics; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D040541:Marketing; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013660:Taxes; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Advertising and Promotion; Electronic nicotine delivery devices; Public policy