Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

CUPHD Finds Local Tobacco Vending Practices that Increase Youth Smoking Rates

Thursday - May 12, 2016

Champaign County, IL - The Champaign‐Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is releasing a report this month with findings that tobacco vending in Champaign County is more heavily concentrated in certain areas, and that a number of vendors have practices that make smoking more appealing to youth. Retail tobacco practices have a direct impact on the number of smokers, and how many youth begin smoking.

The Champaign County tobacco vendor survey found that:

Tobacco vendors are more likely to be located near schools in low income areas;

More than half of local teens live near a tobacco vendor;

Tobacco products attractive and accessible to youth are more prevalent in certain villages, with the highest number in Mahomet;

Tobacco vendors are more concentrated in certain villages, with the highest density in Thomasboro.

Read the full press relase. (PDF)