Density of cigarette retailers around formal and informal educational facilities: Geospatial analysis in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: With 61.4 million current smokers in 2018, Indonesia has contributed significantly to the number of smokers globally. The latest data showed an increasing smoking prevalence among youth. Objective: We examined the density of cigarette retailers around formal and informal educational facilities in Indonesia. Methods: We employed geospatial and quantitative analyses using data on cigarette retailers (from survey during July-August 2019) and educational facilities in Depok city. Data analyses, in ArcMap 10.6 and Stata 15, compared the density within 100 meters and 100-200 meters from the facility. Results: We found a 40%-higher density of cigarette retailers in areas closer to educational facilities. The higher density is similar between formal (i.e., primary, junior high, and senior high schools) and informal educational facilities (i.e., early years education centers and mosques). Moreover, the density is higher near primary schools and senior high schools, compared to the average. Conclusion: There is a higher density of cigarette retailers around formal and informal educational facilities for youth in Indonesia. This evidence confirms the need to regulate cigarette retailers near educational facilities, to enforce the ban on sale to minors, and to ban product displays at retailers.