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Compliance Inspections of Tobacco Retailers and Youth Smoking

Author

Listed:
  • Rahi Abouk

    (Department of Economics, Finance, and Global Business, William Paterson University)

  • Scott Adams

    (Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee)

Abstract

Since 2010, the Food and Drug Administration has contracted with states to perform random checks of tobacco retailers to identify illegal sales to youths. We test whether the inspections affect youth access and smoking for boys and girls. Using the 2010–13 Monitoring the Future survey and data on the number and location of inspections in the first several years of the program, we find the checks have been successful at limiting access to cigarettes in small retail establishments. As for reducing smoking, we observe reductions only among girls. Boys continue to smoke with about the same incidence and intensity as before the inspections. The likely reason for this is that girls are generally more successful at purchasing illicit products at retail establishments while underage. Therefore, enforcing the minimum legal age laws for purchasing tobacco products likely curtails the access of girls to the illegal product.

Suggested Citation

  • Rahi Abouk & Scott Adams, 2017. "Compliance Inspections of Tobacco Retailers and Youth Smoking," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 3(1), pages 10-32, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:amjhec:v:3:y:2017:i:1:p:10-32
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    File URL: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1162/AJHE_a_00065
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Abouk, Rahi & Adams, Scott, 2017. "Bans on electronic cigarette sales to minors and smoking among high school students," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 17-24.
    2. Meier, Armando N. & Odermatt, Reto & Stutzer, Alois, 2021. "Tobacco sales prohibition and teen smoking," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 998-1014.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    youth smoking; retail regulation;

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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