Adolescents with the most tobacco outlets in their neighborhood are almost 50% more likely to smoke than those with no outlets nearby, researchers say.
The study also found that teenagers living in areas with the highest density of retailers are 53 per cent more likely to try smoking at least once.
Based on their findings, researchers argue that anti-smoking strategies among teenagers should include reducing the overall density of tobacco retailers. They say that limiting teenagers' access to tobacco products is vital, as long-term smoking usually begins in adolescence.