Spatial distribution of e-cigarette vending machines: a case study from Germany
Germany has the highest density of cigarette vending machines globally, and the recent proliferation of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vending machines raises growing public health concerns, particularly regarding youth exposure. However, limited data exist on their spatial distribution and cont...
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| Vydané v: | Tobacco control |
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| Hlavní autori: | , , , , |
| Médium: | Journal Article |
| Jazyk: | English |
| Vydavateľské údaje: |
England
27.09.2025
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| Predmet: | |
| ISSN: | 1468-3318, 1468-3318 |
| On-line prístup: | Zistit podrobnosti o prístupe |
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| Shrnutí: | Germany has the highest density of cigarette vending machines globally, and the recent proliferation of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vending machines raises growing public health concerns, particularly regarding youth exposure. However, limited data exist on their spatial distribution and contextual placement. This study presents the first spatial analysis of e-cigarette vending machines in Germany, using the Berlin-based company '
' as a case study.
Geo-referenced data on e-cigarette vending machine locations were extracted from the
website and cross-validated using Google Maps and Microsoft Bing Maps. Spatial analyses-including density mapping, proximity assessments and co-location analysis-were conducted using ArcGIS Pro, R and OpenRouteService. Associations with population size were examined through regression analysis. Selected sites in Cologne and Wiesbaden were visited for on-site validation.
A total of 316 (
) e-cigarette vending machines were identified in Germany, with the highest concentration in Berlin. Machine density was significantly associated with population size, with a 3.24% increase per 1000 additional residents. In Berlin, vending machines were frequently co-located with hospitality and commercial establishments and rarely placed near outdoor or public utility areas. On-site inspections revealed that machines offered disposable e-cigarettes for around €10, with basic age verification.
The integration of e-cigarette vending machines into everyday environments-combined with continuous advertising and 24/7 access-normalises e-cigarette use and poses challenges to tobacco control efforts. Stronger regulations, including bans on the sale of cigarettes and e-cigarettes via vending machines, are urgently needed to protect youth from early nicotine exposure. |
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| Bibliografia: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 1468-3318 1468-3318 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/tc-2025-059546 |