Racial Discrimination in Minors' Access to Tobacco

Abstract

Eight Black and 8 White children attempted to purchase cigarettes in stores in Black versus White neighborhoods in California, where selling cigarettes to children is illegal. Each of the 16 children attempted to purchase cigarettes 36 times, in the same stores, at the same time of day, from I hour to 4 days apart, and in the same manner Results revealed thatBlack children were sold cigarettes significantly more often than White children, that they were sold these cigarettes by non-Black clerks and particularly in all-Black neighborhoods, and that adult customers made no efforts to stop them. These data indicate that racial discrimination on the part of non-Black store clerks and indifference on the part of the Black community both play a role in children's access to tobacco. The needfor Black communities to sustain tobacco control activities to prevent smoking among Black children is highlighted.