title: An intervention to reduce the number of convenience stores selling tobacco: feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduction of the availability of tobacco has been proposed as a means of reducing and denormalising tobacco use. Some retailers have stopped selling tobacco. Therefore, we investigated how willing New Zealand convenience store owners were to stop selling tobacco or sell nicotine replacement therapy. Promotion of their stores was offered as an incentive to stop selling tobacco.
  
  
  METHODS
  We asked convenience store owners in the Auckland metropolitan region of New Zealand to choose one of three actions. The first was to stop selling tobacco for a short period of time; the second was to restrict the hours that they sold tobacco; the third was to display and sell nicotine replacement therapy. All participating retailers completed a short interview about selling tobacco. We also surveyed customers about nicotine replacement and cessation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-third of eligible retailers agreed to participate. Most who participated (93%) were unwilling to stop or restrict tobacco sales and 2 (7%) had already stopped selling tobacco. Tobacco was perceived as a key product for their businesses. Very few customers who purchased cigarettes noticed nicotine replacement therapy or obtained it from convenience stores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substantially reducing the availability of tobacco in communities is likely to require legislative approaches, underpinned by sustained community pressure and support for convenience store owners who are willing to change their business model.
authors: Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Janine
authors: J
authors: Paynter
authors: Centre for Tobacco Control Research, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Marewa
authors: M
authors: Glover
authors: National Institute for Health Innovation, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Bullen
authors: Centre for Tobacco Control Research, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Deepika
authors: D
authors: Sonia
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009520:New Zealand; D011639:Public Opinion; D058012:Small Business / Q000191:economics*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000191:economics*
keywords: Advertising and Promotion; Cessation; Denormalization; Prevention; Public policy