Cigarette Sales to Underage Youth in Seoul, South Korea: Findings From a Mystery Shopping Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the rates of cigarette sales to underage youth and the factors associated with these sales using a mystery shopping technique. Of the convenience stores selling cigarettes in Seoul, South Korea, 2600 were sampled in 2019 and 2020. Personal and environmental factors were independent variables. Cigarette sales to underage youth were the outcome variable, defined as cases where a seller sold cigarettes to a youth shopper. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Rates of cigarette sales to underage youth were 17.9% in 2019 and 16.3% in 2020, significantly higher when the seller was younger and the store was located in a central area. Administrative actions are needed to enforce strong warnings and training guidelines for convenience store sellers. Differentiation in surveillance intensity based on the location of convenience stores in Seoul is also recommended.