Tobacco Retail Density Data

This Population Health Information Tool (PHIT) dataset provides information on the locations of tobacco retailers in Massachusetts.

About the Data

These data compare the density of retailers in a community with other communities, county, or the state as a whole and can be used to assess exposure to tobacco retailers in your community.

Tobacco retail density is not provided for towns with a population less than 1,000 (total population, adult population, or youth population) or for towns with no retailers.

Use this link to explore tobacco retail density data 

About Tobacco Retail Density

Tobacco retail density is a measure of the concentration of tobacco availability in a given area. Massachusetts requires retailers to have a license in order to sell tobacco products, which allows for the tracking of tobacco retailers across the state. Retailers can include convenience and corner stores, gas stations, liquor stores and supermarkets, as well as adult-only (21+) retail tobacco stores such as tobacco shops and e-cigarette/vape shops.

Policymakers, stakeholders and the general public can use these data to help support policies which change the retail environment by limiting access and exposure to flavored tobacco products and raising the minimum price of cigars. Additionally, these data can help support the passage of policies which limit the number of tobacco retail licenses in the community.

Continue Exploring PHIT Data

Chronic Disease Hospitalizations Data   Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Data  Pediatric Asthma Data 

Additional Resources

Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program Webpage 

As a publicly available tool, we highly encourage the use of data included in PHIT. Below is an example of how you can cite this webpage to reference any information you find helpful.

[Insert Title of Webpage Here] (n.d.). Population Health Information Tool, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. [Insert URL]