Tobacco purchasing motivations and behaviours in alcohol-licensed venues: A cross sectional survey of Australian young adults

Issue addressed The widespread retail availability of tobacco contributes to increased tobacco consumption and undermines quit attempts. Given the ready availability of tobacco in alcohol-licensed venues which young adults frequent, tobacco sales in these venues are likely to influence the purchase and consumption of tobacco by young adults. This study aimed to investigate Australian young adults' tobacco purchasing motivations and behaviours in alcohol-licensed venues. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 18- to 30-year-old Australians (n = 307) who had purchased tobacco at an alcohol-licensed venue within the previous 6 months. Purchaser characteristics, levels of alcohol consumption and whether the purchase was planned were assessed, along with anticipated responses to tobacco sales ceasing at the venue. Results The majority of participants (57%) reported their recent cigarette purchase at an alcohol-licensed venue as unplanned. Area of residence was the only characteristic associated with an unplanned purchase, with those living in urban areas significantly less likely to have made an unplanned purchase than regional participants (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.29, 0.89]). During the occasion when the tobacco purchase was made, the majority of participants (51%) had consumed five or more standard alcoholic drinks. If tobacco sales ceased at the venue, 22% indicated they would stay and not smoke. Conclusions Unplanned tobacco purchases appear to be influenced by the alcohol-licensed settings, rather than socio-demographic factors associated with the individual. So what? Policies that restrict the sale of tobacco in alcohol-licensed venues are likely to reduce tobacco consumption among young adults and support smokers to quit.