The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63733

Robin Stevens, BA, School of Public Health, Health Behavior, Health Education, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory Street, OCBPH, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (734) 764-1817, stanback@umich.edu

The Urban Truth Research Project is a product of the partnership between Faith Access to Community Economic Development (FACED), the University Of Michigan School Of Public Health (UM-SPH), the Ruth Mott Foundation and various other community organizations. The goal of Urban Truth was to collect hard data on point-of-purchase advertising of tobacco products in Flint’s African-American community. Point-of purchase advertising is the collection of ads, signs, and tobacco logos placed on the interior and exterior of local convenience stores, markets, and gas stations. This practice has helped tobacco advertisement become familiar backdrops in many communities. Urban Truth’s pilot study grew from a need to quantify the extent of advertising for future community advocacy. With the support of FACED and UM-SPH, one graduate student mentor and four local high school students designed and conducted the Urban Truth research project. Modeling ImpacTEEN’s national point-of-purchase advertising study, these students conducted observational research and surveyed more than 100 stores in and surrounding Flint.The findings from this pilot study suggest that tobacco products are marketed more aggressively in African-American communities than in other communities. Specifically, retail establishments in Flint’s African-American community have approximately 5% more interior tobacco advertisements and almost 60% more exterior ads than in comparison areas. Additionally, a greater number of these advertisements are placed at a child’s eye level (62% vs. 33%), and fewer anti-tobacco or “age of sale” restriction signs were visible (20% vs. 8%).

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and evaluate point-of-purchasing advertising of tobacco products
• Evaluate ways tobacco products are marketed to the African-American community

Keywords: African American, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.