A Cross-sectional Analysis of Socio-spatial Patterning of Tobacco Retail in Shanghai, China.

This is the first study to examine the relationship between tobacco retail availability and neighborhood deprivation in the context of Chinese megacities. Using data from Shanghai, China, we found a significant non-linear association between tobacco retail availability and neighborhood deprivation across the city. It is plausible that the socio-spatial disparities in tobacco retail availability at the neighborhood level may be a key factor explaining differences in smoking behaviors between sociodemographic groups. The findings emphasize the need for greater efforts in regulating neighborhood-level tobacco retailing in China.