AN EXPERIMENTAL-ANALYSIS OF SOCIOCULTURAL VARIABLES IN SALES OF CIGARETTES TO MINORS

Objectives. This study assessed the role of age, racial/ethnic group, and gender, as well as that of other sociocultural variables, in minor s' access to tobacco. Methods. Thirty-six miners attempted to purchase cigarettes once in each of 72 stores (2592 purchase attempts). The mi nors represented equal numbers of girls and boys; 10-year-olds, 14-yea r-olds, and 16-year-olds; and Whites, Blacks, and Latinos. Equal numbe rs of stores were in Black, White, and Latino neighborhoods. Results. Older children were more likely than younger ones to be sold cigarette s, and Latino children were more likely than Whites to be sold cigaret tes. OIder Black children (irrespective of gender) were the single mos t likely group to be sold cigarettes. Cigarettes were significantly mo re likely to be sold to children by male than female clerks and in spe cific sociocultural contexts. Conclusions. Interventions with retailer s must address sociocultural variables to improve effectiveness in red ucing minors' access to tobacco.