Background: Tobacco products are ubiquitously available in Bangladesh. There are currently no restrictions on who can sell tobacco products and where they are allowed to be sold. The objective of this study was to explore tobacco retailers' views regarding tobacco retail licensing (TRL) in Bangladesh.
Methods: A two-stage cluster sampling procedure was used to collect data from a representative sample of 472 tobacco retailers (97% response rate) in Dhaka city in 2018 through face-to-face interviews using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, X2 tests and logistic regression.
Results: The majority (79%) of the retailers reported that they would support TRL, and 68% were interested in applying for TRL if adopted. Support for TRL was higher among those with a university degree (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8 to 5.3) and among those with knowledge about existing tobacco control regulations (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8). Furthermore, support for TRL was significantly higher among those who believed that it would restrict tobacco retailing locations (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.0) and prevent tobacco sales to minors (AOR 3.5, 95% CI 2.2 to 5.5).
Conclusion: This sample of tobacco retailers in Bangladesh supported TRL. TRL advocacy efforts could draw on this support.
Keywords: advocacy; end game; prevention; public policy.
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