Trends and predictors of tobacco product purchasing source in Australia.

Abstract

Background: This study examines trends in categories of tobacco suppliers to inform policy such as restricting the type of retailer permitted to sell tobacco.

Methods: We analysed four waves of national cross-sectional survey data from 10 940 individuals who smoked tobacco from 2013 to 2022/2023. We report the proportion who obtained tobacco from informal sources, supermarkets, tobacconists, convenience stores and hospitality venues. Multinomial logistic regression examined factors associated with source relative to supermarkets.

Result: Purchasing from supermarkets declined from 51% in 2013 to 35% in 2022/2023; convenience stores remained steady; hospitality venues stayed minimal; while obtaining from tobacconists (17-33%) and informal sources (10-14%) increased. Purchasing from tobacconists was associated with being male (adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRR)=1.15, 95% CIs 1.04 to 1.27) versus female, of low socio-economic status (aRRR=1.24, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.41) versus high metropolitan residence (aRRR=1.54, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.72) versus other and being retired from work (aRRR=1.20, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.38) versus employed. Informal sourcing was associated with younger age (18-24 years aRRR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.0) versus older (65+ years) and smoking weekly (aRRR=2.94, 95% CI 2.28 to 3.78) or less than weekly (aRRR=11.57, 95% CI 9.27 to 14.45) versus daily. Informal sourcing (aRRR=1.44, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.74) and purchasing from tobacconists (aRRR=1.31, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.49) were associated with using illicitly traded tobacco.

Conclusion: Tobacconists have become a major supplier of tobacco in Australia. Purchasing from tobacconists is associated with sociodemographic, behavioural factors and use of illicitly traded tobacco. Informal sources are increasing as a tobacco supply channel for young people and persons who smoke infrequently. Understanding these patterns may inform policies to reduce tobacco supply and availability.