Tobacco Control· 2026Q1
Trends and predictors of tobacco product purchasing source in Australia
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Purchasing tobacco from tobacconists increased from 17% to 33% and informal sources from 10% to 14% between 2013 and 2022/2023, while supermarket purchases declined from 51% to 35%.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Purchasing tobacco from supermarkets decreased from 51% (2013) to 35% (2022/2023).
- Purchases from tobacconists rose from 17% to 33% and informal sources from 10% to 14% over the same period.
- Tobacconist purchases linked to male gender, lower socioeconomic status, and metropolitan residence.
- Informal sourcing associated with younger age (18-24) and less frequent smoking (weekly or less).
- Both tobacconist and informal sourcing correlated with using illicitly traded tobacco.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
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.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Tobacco Control, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Physiology
PhysiologyMedicine