Vape stores in WA are densely located around schools and in disadvantaged areas, according to new research which found that 88% of stores were situated within one kilometre of a school.
The study between the University of Notre Dame, UWA and Curtin University — commissioned by Cancer Council WA – also revealed that in metropolitan areas, vape store density was nearly seven times higher in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas than in the least disadvantaged.
Of the 194 stores identified, approximately one in three vape stores in each region were located within 500 metres of a school, while 29% of schools in Perth and 35% of schools in regional WA centres had at least one store located within one kilometre.
Although the study only covered WA, lead author Dr Matthew Tuson, research fellow from Notre Dame, said the situation was probably similar across Australia, and the findings highlighted the importance of the government’s proposed vaping reforms.
“Given the rapid rise of vaping amongst youth and the potential for associated health harms, it is important to consider the proximity of vape stores to places where young people gather, particularly schools,” Dr Tuson said.
“Previous tobacco research has shown that the proximity of tobacco retailers to people’s schools or homes can influence smoking behaviours, and similar relationships have been reported for e-cigarettes.
“We know from overseas studies that the tobacco industry often sets up shop in disadvantaged areas where they can prey on vulnerable populations, and we found the same pattern here with vape retailers — the proximity of vape stores to schools increases young people’s access to vapes and exposure to marketing, ultimately normalising e-cigarette use.”
‘Brick and mortar’ vape stores have proliferated in Australia in recent years and recent research has shown that 14% of children aged 14-17 years currently vape, with the highest vaping rates among people aged under 35 years.
“Australian vape stores commonly have sales of e-cigarette products as a main source of business, in contrast to stores like supermarkets and convenience stores, which, when they do sell such products, do so only alongside various other non-smoking- or vaping-related items,” Dr Tuson said.
“However, there is no public registry of vape stores in WA, unlike for tobacco retailers for which there is a positive licensing scheme.
“Particularly concerning was the finding that an additional 159 vape stores in Perth represents an increase of over 120% in the space of just under 3.5 years.
“This is despite it currently being illegal in WA under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 (WA) to sell any food, toy or other product that is not a tobacco product but is designed to resemble a tobacco product or package.”
Co-author Professor Lisa Wood, also from Notre Dame, said ‘brick and mortar’ vape stores played a strong role in normalising e-cigarette use, particularly among youth.
Yet with commercial realty prices for such stores costing around $750 per square metre in Claremont compared to $270 in Wanneroo, it may also explain vape store owners’ tendency to agglomerate in low-cost areas.
Similarly, new suburb designs catering to families have followed the Australian Urban Design Protocol, which promotes ‘liveability’ and ‘connectivity’ in the form a good mix of jobs, schools, shops, facilities, and services… “that prioritises walking or riding before vehicles.”
“The 15-minute neighbourhood is all about ‘living locally’ and enabling people to meet most of their daily needs within a 15-minute return walk from home.”
This appears a less sinister-sounding explanation for why in new suburban developments especially, almost nine in 10 vape stores were within walking distance of schools.