Kentucky pharmacists' opinions and practices related to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol in pharmacies

The objective of the study was to augment important findings from a 1996 st atewide survey of Indiana pharmacists regarding their opinions and practice s related to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol in pharmacies. More specifi cally, this study was designed (1) to determine opinions and practices of K entucky pharmacists' related to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol; (2) com pare these findings with results from the Indiana study; and (3) to gather information on health promotion activities by Kentucky pharmacists. A struc tured survey questionnaire was designed and reviewed by a jury of experts a nd subsequently administered to half of the 1182 pharmacies in Kentucky. Co llected data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Findings reveal that 45 percent of responding pharmacists sell ci garettes in their stores even though 88 percent think that their stores sho uld not sell cigarettes. Approximately 34 percent of the pharmacies in non- dry counties sell alcoholic beverages while more than four-fifths of the ph armacists (81%) think pharmacies should not sell alcoholic beverages. After adjusting by type of pharmacy, no statistical difference was found in reta il-chain pharmacy sales of cigarettes and alcohol in either Kentucky or Ind iana. However, independent pharmacies in Kentucky were less likely to sell cigarettes and alcohol compared to independent Indiana pharmacies. Study re sults also revealed that most pharmacists agree the use of cigarettes and a lcohol are important causes of morbidity and pre-mature mortality and that pharmacists should play a role in health promotion and disease prevention t hrough their relationship with the public. However, the majority do not ask their patients about their smoking and alcohol habits and do not participa te in health education/promotion programs for the general community.