Public support for policies to phase out the retail sale of cigarettes in Australia: results from a nationally representative survey

Abstract

Background There is growing international interest in a goal once considered unthinkable: phasing out the retail sales of smoked tobacco products. In this study, we examined public support for phasing out sales and specific measures for moving towards a phase-out among a nationally representative sample of Australian adults. Methods In December 2019, we used a probability-based online panel, Life in Australia™, to survey n=1939 Australian adults (n=1874 included in analyses due to missing data). Results Almost two-thirds of respondents thought it would be’a good thing’ if there came a time when it was no longer legal to sell cigarettes in shops in Australia and only 16.7% thought it would be..