The area between 27th and 36th streets in Ogden has many strengths, including large residential areas with many homes and parks, tree-lined streets, and a distinct elementary school with a built-in spaceship offering summer camps focused on space, science, math, and engineering. This community has a diverse population. 

This area also has a high concentration of stores that sell tobacco products and one of the highest rates of adult cigarette smoking in Utah (18.7% compared to the state rate of 7%).

The map on the right shows differences in adult cigarette smoking, with light blue areas having fewer adults who smoke cigarettes and dark purple areas having more adults who smoke cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking is directly correlated with income and years of education. In the US, 18.3% of adults living in low-income households smoke cigarettes, compared to 12.3% of adults living in middle-income households, and 6.7% of adults living in high-income households. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Best Practices User Guide on Health Equity and Tobacco Control)

This graph shows the percentages of adults who smoke cigarettes or use vape products in Weber County by education level. College graduates are significantly less likely to smoke or vape than those with less than a high school education.

The map on the right shows differences in education, with dark green areas indicating higher levels of bachelor's education and dark blue areas indicating lower levels of bachelor's education.

This graph shows the percentages of adults who smoke cigarettes or use vape products in Weber County by household income. Lower household income is associated with a greater risk for smoking and vaping.

The map on the right shows differences in household income, with light blue areas indicating lower income levels and dark purple areas representing higher income levels.

Children who attend school or live in neighborhoods with a high number of stores where tobacco products are sold are more likely to use tobacco products. Increased exposure to tobacco ads is associated with a higher prevalence of youth and adult smoking, even when other neighborhood factors like racial composition and socioeconomic status are taken into consideration.

Tobacco retail stores cluster in neighborhoods with a high percentage of low-income residents or residents of color. Higher tobacco retail density is associated with shorter life expectancy, even when other factors such as age, income, and race are taken into consideration.

The Odgen area highlighted in the map on the right has eight tobacco retail stores and a total population of 4,799 people.

To address tobacco retail density, Riverdale City added the following sales and density restrictions for smoke and vape shops in its jurisdiction:

• Smoke or vape shops may only sell tobacco and tobacco-related products such as cigarettes, cigars, blunts, cigarillos, little cigars, snuff, and dipping tobacco.
• The sale of tobacco paraphernalia other than pipes, rolling paper, and humidors is prohibited.
• No more than one smoke or vape shop for every nine thousand (9,000) residents is permitted.

Utah regulations for tobacco specialty shops:

According to Utah law, smoke and vape shops may not be located within:

• 1,000 feet of a school, church, library, park, or other community location as defined by Utah Code § 10-8.41.6(1)(a), § 17-50-333(1)(a).
• 600 feet of another smoke or vape shop; or
• 600 feet of property used or zoned for agricultural or residential use

Ogden regulations follow the state code listed above without further sales or density restrictions.  However, many smoke and vape shops in Ogden still operate under “grandfather” status in locations now prohibited by Utah code.

Tobacco addiction presents a significant health and economic burden for Utah communities. On average, people who smoke cigarettes die ten years earlier than people who don't smoke.

Targeted tobacco industry marketing and a lack of protective laws and policies make it harder for some communities to live free from tobacco-related death and disease.

In Weber-Morgan counties, the proportion of smoking-attributable annual healthcare costs is estimated at $66.15 million.

Studies have shown that exposure to tobacco products and marketing in stores increases the likelihood that kids will start smoking and makes it harder for those who use tobacco to quit. Children are more likely to begin using tobacco when they live or go to school in neighborhoods with a high density of tobacco retailers. 

Let's put an end to the tobacco industry targeting lower-income neighborhoods with addictive products. We need to decrease the number of tobacco retail stores near schools and homes, and remove vape and smoke shops from our neighborhoods

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (n.d.).

Tobacco and socioeconomic status. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0260.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Best practices user guide: Health equity in tobacco prevention and control. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The health consequences of smoking—50 years of progress: A report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.