OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the role of age, racial/ethnic group, and gender, as well as that of other sociocultural variables, in minors' access to tobacco. METHODS: Thirty-six minors attempted to purchase cigarettes once in each of 72 stores (2592 purchase attempts). The minors represented equal numbers of girls and boys; 10-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and 16-year-olds; and Whites, Blacks, and Latinos. Equal numbers of stores were in Black, White, and Latino neighborhoods. RESULTS: Older children were more likely than younger ones to be sold cigarettes, and Latino children were more likely than Whites to be sold cigarettes. Older Black children (irrespective of gender) were the single most likely group to be sold cigarettes. Cigarettes were significantly more likely to be sold to children by male than female clerks and in specific sociocultural contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions with retailers must address sociocultural variables to improve effectiveness in reducing minors' access to tobacco.

Eight Black and 8 White children attempted to purchase cigarettes in stores in Black versus White neighborhoods in California, where selling cigarettes to children is illegal. Each of the 16 children attempted to purchase cigarettes 36 times, in the same stores, at the same time of day, from I hour to 4 days apart, and in the same manner Results revealed thatBlack children were sold cigarettes significantly more often than White children, that they were sold these cigarettes by non-Black clerks and particularly in all-Black neighborhoods, and that adult customers made no efforts to stop them. These data indicate that racial discrimination on the part of non-Black store clerks and indifference on the part of the Black community both play a role in children's access to tobacco. The needfor Black communities to sustain tobacco control activities to prevent smoking among Black children is highlighted.

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