Map It: Using Geographic
Information System (GIS) Mapping
in Tobacco Control
Donna R. Newton, Project Director & Carlene E. Henriques, CHES In The Zone Tobacco-FREE Project, Corona, CA
What Is GIS
Mapping- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based tool that helps visualize information and see
patterns and relationships that aren’t otherwise apparent in written data.
Provides a “birds eye” view of data including actual
locations of retailers who were willing to sell tobacco to minors
Can be used for monitoring compliance, enforcement and evaluation
Tobacco Retailers in Corona, CA
How To Begin GIS Mapping for
Tobacco Retailers in Your City
Obtain a list of businesses within your city from the
city clerk, business license or finance department
(this is usually in an Excel file)
Identify all tobacco retailers (by type of store,
business name)
Call and/or visit each store to assess whether they
GIS Mapping Database
It’s easy to transfer data
from an Excel file
Have the name of the retail store, store type, address, and zip code
For attempt-to-purchase tobacco or zoning
activities, have the “sales rates” by store
What Other Information
Can Be Added?
Locations of places where youth hang-out:
1. Recreational parks 2. Movie theatres
3. Skate parks
4. Fast food restaurants 5. Laser tag centers
6. Amusement parks
Schools
(elementary, middle/junior high/high schools)
School bus stop locations
(next to tobacco retailers)What You Can Do With GIS Mapping
Anything You Want…
Map density of tobacco and alcohol retailers
(zoning)
Nutrition programs can map fast food locations
in proximity to schools and youth hang-outs
Location of youth service programs
Cities currently map location/type of trees
Overlay multiple indicators: tobacco and/or
alcohol advertising by store type/location/ethnic
areas, alcohol sales to minors, low
How We MAPPED IT!
in Corona, California
Know Your Community:
1. Demographics (population, ethnicity/race, # of
youth/children, income, commuters)
2. What is of interest to residents?
Anything having to do with their children
School and community service activities
Issues that youth take the time to advocate for
3. Who can make or break an issue? (i.e. city council, city
manager, chief of police, chamber of commerce, Corona-Norco American Cancer Society Board)
Recruitment Efforts
Identified active & well-respected youth groups from Corona & Norco:
1. American Cancer
Society Youth Board (high school)
2. U.N.I.T.Y. Youth
Council (junior high and high school)
Training Our Volunteers
Adult and youth volunteers were trained in Tobacco 101
Youth and adults were taught how to conduct youth attempt-to-purchase tobacco surveys (using the next to the last worst protocol in California!)
Youth received media, spokesperson and policy advocacy training
Lastly, youth and adults were trained on why illegal sales of tobacco rates are still so high and how a licensing
ordinance could reduce those rates
Midwest Academy Strategy Chart
Goals Organizational Considerations Constituents, Allies, Opponents Targets Tactics© Midwest Academy, 28 E. Jackson Blvd. #605, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 427-2304, mwacademy1@aol.com, www.midwestacademy.com
Strategic Planning
Long-term goal: to pass a retail licensing ordinance
for the City of Corona
Short-term goal: get support or neutral stance from
critical organizations (law enforcement, chamber of
commerce, city manager, store owners, etc.)
Who became allies: city manager, city council
member (children on UNITY Youth Board),
Corona-Norco PTA, ACS, ALA, Riverside County
Community Health Agency, Parents
How Did We Demonstrate Community
Support?
Community Opinion Surveys:
– 300 people surveyed and 89% expressed support for licensing tobacco retailers
– 90% feel that licensing these retailers would reduce illegal sales of tobacco to youth
Petitions (collected over 2,000 petition signatures from adults and youth in Corona)
Cards to city council members
Letters from youth to city council
Attendance of youth and adult supporters at city council meetings
Why Use GIS Mapping?
Because no one at city hall knew just how many retailers were selling tobacco in Corona
To provide a visual picture of how many
merchants were illegally selling tobacco to minors and where they were located
Because “hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn”
(moms/parents hate it when their kids are being targeted or victimized)
Sample of the Data
NAME of STORES SELLING TOBACCO Sales to Minors?
ADDRESS ZIP Store Type
6th St Market & Deli (ow ner smokes inside)* N 935 W 6th St # 101 92882 Small market
Arco Am Pm* N 3830 Magnolia (@ McKinley) 92879 Gas/Convenience Art's Liquor N 619 E 6th St 92879 Liquor store
Babes Sports Bar 90 W. Grand Blvd. #109 92882 Bar
Cig City N 107 N McKinley St Ste 102 92879 Tobacco store
Cigarette Depot Y 420 N McKinley St 101 92879 Tobacco store
Cigarettes Cheaper (Quality Cigarettes) Y 1112 W 6th St 92882 Tobacco store
Cigarettes USA N 301 W. 6th Street Ste 107 92882 Tobacco store
Circle K 13120 Magnolia Avenue 92879 Convenience w/gas Circle K Y 19570 Temescal Canyon Road 92881 Convenience w/gas Circle K #5705* N 304 S Main St 92882 Convenience w/gas Corona Car Wash 1401 W 6th St 92882 Gas/Convenience Corona Cigar Company & Accessories 511 N. Main Street Ste 102 92880 Tobacco store
Corona Discount Place Y 685 E Grand Blvd 92879 Discount store Corona Gas G & J Auto Sales* N 625 W 6th St 92882 Gas/Convenience Corona Market 502 S Sheridan St 92882 Small market
30% 2004
26% 2005
* sold in 12/2001 (5 of 19 = 26%)
ACS Club Youth Speaking to
the Corona City Council
U Can Map It 2!
The following companies
have mapping software:
www.esri.com
www.gisportal.com
www.agis.com (free)
