Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency of tobacco advertisements on taxicabs within Boston, Massachusetts (USA). DESIGN: At seven locations throughout Boston, an observer counted all taxicabs over 30-minute periods in December 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Confirmed sightings of taxicabs with cigarette advertisements were recorded with information collected on the cigarette brand and taxicab company. RESULTS: A total of 314 taxicabs were observed over 210 minutes of observation time, including 127 (40.4%) with cigarette advertisements. Taxicabs with cigarette advertisements were seen once every 1.65 minutes on average, with Marlboro as the most frequently advertised brand (69 of 127 advertisements, 54.3%). Less affluent locations were serviced by greater proportions of taxicabs carrying cigarette advertisements compared with more affluent locations (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval = 1.18-3.68). CONCLUSIONS: Taxicabs represent a major form of exposure to cigarette advertising in Boston.