Estimating the number and growth of tobacconists and vape stores in Queensland in the absence of a retailer licensing database.

Abstract

Introduction: In 2022, Queensland had not implemented a tobacco retailer licensing scheme. This study aimed to develop a prototype system to periodically collect geolocations of tobacconists and/or vape retailers (TVR) in Queensland over a 12-month period.

Methods: The 'Text Search' function on Google Maps application programming interface was used to return business information based on a string query with a specific latitude and longitude coordinate (search points) (n = 3481). Monthly searches of TVRs were repeated from July 2022 to June 2023. Retailers that likely sold tobacco products but were not specialty stores (e.g., supermarkets) were excluded. Two team members independently and manually checked, confirmed and categorised 'New' entries.

Results: From July 2022 to June 2023 confirmed TVRs in Queensland increased by 14.3% from 624 to 713, a mean of 7.4 new TVRs per month. Of the total stores collected in the initial search (July 2022), 71.5% were manually confirmed as TVRs. Most stores were categorised as 'tobacco only', yet the proportion of confirmed TVRs categorised as 'tobacco and vape' and 'vape only' increased and decreased, respectively, over 12-months.

Discussion and conclusions: The prototype system effectively identified and tracked the longitudinal growth of tobacco/vape specialty stores in Queensland over 12 months. Future research using the system will analyse TVR density and proximity relative to population characteristics and locations of interest. The system will also provide baseline data to assist compliance following the Queensland smoking product licensing scheme and longitudinal data to supplement evaluations of the state and federal supply policies.