Lanza H Isabella, Pittman Patricia S
H. Isabella Lanza, Associate Professor, Department of Human Development, California State University, Long Beach, CA. Patricia S. Pittman, Department of Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Tob Regul Sci. 2019 Sep;5(5):447-455. doi: 10.18001/trs.5.5.5.
The current study adds to the literature on vape shops by evaluating vape shop growth in an urban community over a 3-year period, assessing similarities and differences across the vape shop context, and addressing whether socialization spaces within vape shops are associated with a vape shop's ultimate success - remaining operational. As e-cigarette/vaping use enters its second decade in the US market, its regulation and status as a novel form of substance use is evolving; accordingly, it is unknown whether the presence of vape shops has changed as well.
In this study, we tracked and observed 19 vape shops over a 3-year period in Long Beach, California.
Vape shop presence declined by 53% between September 2015 and September 2018. A comparison of vape shops remaining open versus those closing in the 3-year period indicated that shops with designated socialization spaces (lounges/tasting bars) were more likely to remain operational.
The substantial decline in vape shop presence in this community may reflect an entrepreneurial response to increased regulation, as well as a dynamic market for e-cigarette/vape products. Findings suggest vape users support Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) retailers that promote community-building or recreational activity.
本研究通过评估城市社区内电子烟商店在3年期间的增长情况、分析不同电子烟商店环境的异同，以及探讨电子烟商店内的社交空间是否与商店的最终成功（即持续营业）相关，为有关电子烟商店的文献增添了内容。随着电子烟/蒸汽烟在美国市场进入第二个十年，其监管以及作为一种新型物质使用形式的地位正在不断演变；因此，电子烟商店的情况是否也发生了变化尚不清楚。
在本研究中，我们在加利福尼亚州长滩对19家电子烟商店进行了为期3年的跟踪和观察。
2015年9月至2018年9月期间，电子烟商店数量下降了53%。对在这3年期间仍在营业的电子烟商店与关闭的商店进行比较发现，设有指定社交空间（休息室/品尝吧）的商店更有可能继续营业。
该社区内电子烟商店数量的大幅下降可能反映了企业对监管加强的应对，以及电子烟产品动态变化的市场。研究结果表明，电子烟使用者支持那些促进社区建设或娱乐活动的电子尼古丁传送系统（ENDS）零售商。
