Tobacco Retailer Perspectives on Potential Phase Out of Tobacco Sales in South Australia: An Exploratory Survey

ISSUE ADDRESSED: To examine tobacco retailers' perspectives on the potential phase out of tobacco sales in South Australia, a retail-based tobacco endgame strategy that directly targets product availability. METHODS: A cross-sectional mixed-methods survey of licensed tobacco retailers conducted in South Australia in April 2025. The survey included 70 licensed tobacco retailers and assessed anticipated impacts of a retail phase out, strategies they might adopt in response and the support they would seek. Both quantitative ratings and open-text qualitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Retailers rated legal requirements, declining profitability and reduced consumer demand as the most important drivers for them to cease tobacco sales, while few highlighted public or community health considerations. One-third reported needing lead-in time to transition, citing financial compensation, business planning support and opportunities for product substitution as priorities. Concerns about illicit tobacco trade featured prominently, with many describing reduced legal sales, financial loss and security risks. Retailers held mixed views on phased transition to ending tobacco sales. CONCLUSIONS: Some retailers view tobacco as increasingly unprofitable, yet business sustainability concerns and illicit trade complicate retailer support for mandated phase out. Clear timelines and targeted transition support are critical to increasing retailer confidence and policy feasibility. SO WHAT?: By aligning tobacco retail phase-out policies with retailer support, governments may be able to reduce tobacco availability while limiting impacts on retailers' livelihoods; further research is needed to confirm how this approach would affect policy acceptability and business transitions at scale.