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Why Tasmanian retailers stop selling tobacco and implications for tobacco control
Citation
Melody, SM and Martin-Gall, VA and Veitch, MG, Why Tasmanian retailers stop selling tobacco and implications for tobacco control, Tobacco Control pp. 1-4. ISSN 0964-4563 (2020) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020
DOI: doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055588
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to understand why retailers stop selling tobacco and explore possible implications for tobacco control.
Methods: The Tobacco Licensing Database maintained by the Department of Health Tasmania was used to identify and recruit past retailers who no longer held licences. Semistructured interviews were conducted to explore business demographics and the reasons they stopped selling tobacco. Interview findings were analysed using a thematic framework.
Results: Twenty former tobacco retailers participated, representing all business types except specialist tobacconists and large supermarkets. Retailers gave multiple reasons for ending tobacco sales, related to business considerations, security, tobacco regulations, ethics and health. Most often, the decision was business-related; health or ethical considerations were rarely a factor. Most retailers felt they played no role in mitigating tobacco-related harm.
Conclusions: This study provides insights into factors that make tobacco sales unattractive or unfeasible for low-volume outlets and may inform supply-focused tobacco control policy. A campaign that emphasises the possible business benefits of ending tobacco sales in favour of other higher-margin products may support retailers to transition away from tobacco sales. The regulatory obligations of selling tobacco are disincentives and create a less favourable retail environment.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | end game, harm reduction, public policy |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Public health |
Research Field: | Social determinants of health |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Behaviour and health |
UTAS Author: | Melody, SM (Dr Shannon Melody) |
ID Code: | 142085 |
Year Published: | 2020 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2020-12-10 |
Last Modified: | 2021-03-23 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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