Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4984-2707
Date Available
5-18-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Kinesiology and Health Promotion
Faculty
Dr. Melinda Ickes
Faculty
Dr. Shemeka Thorpe
Faculty
Dr. Jennifer McMullen
Abstract
Purpose: To explore the potential relationship between tobacco retailer proximity/density around Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools, and students’ perceptions, perceived norms, susceptibility to, and use of e-cigarettes. Design: A mixed-methods analysis of youth’s self-reported survey results and geographical data. Setting: 106 Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools which participated in #iCANendthetrend’s tobacco education program between September 2023 and May 2024. Subjects: Convenience sample of students from Ky schools (N = 7,823) Measures: Items assessing e-cigarette use, susceptibility, perceptions, and perceived norms. Analysis: ANOVA tests used to compare responses of elementary, middle, and high school students. Chi-squared tests were used to compare measures in proximity and density groups. Results: High density of tobacco retailers around schools was positively associated with greater rates of susceptibility and lower perceived risks of e-cigarette use compared to lower density groups (p< .05). Students within one mile of a retailer were more likely to report positive perceptions of e-cigarettes compared to students further than one mile (p< .05). Conclusion: Greater density and proximity of tobacco retailers around schools correlates with higher e-cigarette use, susceptibility, and positive perceptions. Identifying contributing factors to youth e-cigarette use and susceptibility can support efforts to limit tobacco retail frequency.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.250
Funding Information
This study was supported by a graduate research assistantship provided by the University of Kentucky from August 2023 until May 2025.
Recommended Citation
Cardona, Hannah, "PROXIMITY AND DENSITY OF TOBACCO RETAIL LOCATIONS TO KENTUCKY SCHOOLS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO YOUTH PERCEPTIONS OF HARM AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO E-CIGARETTE USE" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 124.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_etds/124
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons
