Smoking Habits And Proximity To Stores That Sell Tobacco

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Living in close proximity to retail establishments that sell tobacco products appears to make it harder for smokers to kick the habit.

This is the latest information from the journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine Edition.

The study is the first of its kind to examine the impact of a person's home related to tobacco sales on smoking behaviors, and the findings have important policy implications for smoking cessation efforts.

It was done in Finland and the scientists found an increase in the distance from home to a tobacco outlet increased the odds of quitting smoking.

The conclusion of the study is that smoking cessation efforts should consider initiatives aimed at reducing the number of retail establishments that sell tobacco, such as banning sales near schools or offering incentives to get retailers to stop selling the products.

This, of course, is next to impossible and would not be allowed to happen in our country, but it clearly shows that availability adds to temptation.