Tobacco outlets in vicinity of Dutch secondary schools

Abstract

Introduction Tobacco outlet density is positively associated with tobacco use. Tobacco outlets around schools put adolescents at risk for smoking behaviour. This study describes tobacco outlet density around secondary schools in four Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Haarlem, and Zwolle) and differences therein between schools providing different educational tracks. Material and Methods Data on tobacco outlet locations and characteristics were collected during a systematic retail audit. Locations and educational tracks of all 105 schools were retrieved from their websites. Using Geographic Information System software, the absolute number of tobacco outlets within a 500m radius around schools (density) was calculated. Results were stratified per 1) type of outlet: supermarkets, small outlets, and specialist shops, 2) city, and 3) schools’ educational track. Results 72% of all schools had at least one tobacco outlet within 500m. On average, tobacco outlet density was 3.31 (SD:3.90), mainly including small outlets (1.65) and supermarkets (1.10). Density differed between schools providing solely vocational (2.39), vocational-mixed (3.16), and academic (4.64) tracks, and between cities: Amsterdam (4.57), Haarlem (2.09), Zwolle (1.58), and Eindhoven (0.53). In Amsterdam and Haarlem, density was highest around academic schools (5.75 vs. 5.00), and lowest around solely vocational schools (3.30 vs. 0.67). In Zwolle and Eindhoven, density was lowest around academic schools, and highest around respectively vocational-mixed (1.75) and solely vocational schools (0.86). Conclusions Tobacco outlet density around secondary schools is not consistently higher among low schools offering educational tracks. Studies are needed to assess whether this also holds for other European countries.

Keywords

• tobacco
• secondary schools
• the netherland