Tobacco retailers: study debunks industry argument

While the presence of tobacco in convenience stores (equivalent to tobacco retailers) is being questioned in New Zealand, cigarette companies and retail unions are opposing this measure, arguing that tobacco purchases and smoking customers are crucial to the financial balance of these stores. However, a study debunks this claim.[1].

A study conducted by the University of Otago and published in December 2020 in the journal Tobacco Control conducted post-purchase surveys in a random sample of 100 stores in two New Zealand cities. The researchers then measured the average number of items purchased, distinguishing between tobacco and non-tobacco purchases, as well as the average expenditure on non-tobacco purchases.

The relative weight of tobacco among retailers

According to the measure's detractors, tobacco accounts for 25% of convenience store traffic, and customers buying tobacco spend on average almost twice as much as customers who do not. In reality, this method has shown that out of nearly 3,400 purchases made, 13.8% were made up of tobacco. Of these 13.8%, purchases made up exclusively of tobacco amounted to 8.3%, while the remainder (5.5%) was made up of tobacco and non-tobacco products. The proportion of exclusive tobacco purchases compared to that of combined purchases (tobacco and other products) calls into question the idea that tobacco is a significant generator of additional sales. Finally, customers who purchased tobacco and non-tobacco items spent an average of NZ$6.99 (€4.06), compared to $5.07 for buyers of non-tobacco products (€2.95). While there is a differential, it is still well below the figures put forward by the tobacco industry.

The authors thus show that the initial assertion is not observed by the figures of the study. The weight of tobacco in total purchases in stores only comes in third position, behind food (42%) and soft drinks (40%).

National Committee Against Smoking |