Abstract

Smoke Signals? Using GIS in Tobacco Control
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Statice Wilmore

In August 2010, Pasadena's Tobacco Control Program was funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to decrease the amount of tobacco advertising in our community. In January 2011, staff conducted an observational survey of point-of-sale advertising of 138 Pasadena tobacco retailers. This information was tabulated, geocoded and, then, analyzed using ARCView and GIS programs. The project also looked at advertising near schools, and geographic density of tobacco retailers. The findings reflect data from 97% of all tobacco retailers observed within city boundaries. GIS is an integral part of local planning assessment and providing visual data to better understand which tobacco control interventions are needed to further reduce tobacco advertising in the community. Presenters identify additional uses of this system in supporting other tobacco control work and policy development initiatives. Participants will learn the value of using GIS to enhance their tobacco control assessment and planning efforts.