Ampol is Australia’s largest petrol and convenience retail network with 1,900 branded sites across the country (with the majority of sites currently branded as Caltex).
Ampol has made a submission to the Senate inquiry into tobacco harm reduction, saying that convenience retailers are better positioned to help cigarette smokers transition to less harmful products, due to their convenient locations and longer opening hours.
In its submission to the Senate inquiry, Ampol said that it is open to working with public health authorities to trial approaches to support the aim of reducing smoking through the sale of these products through its network.
In it’s submission, Ampol made the suggestion: “Our retail staff could provide a verbal cue to customers who ask to purchase cigarettes, encouraging them to consider the alternative options available to them in-store.
“Such an approach could be very beneficial for public heal as people switch from cigarettes. This approach would only proceed on the basis that there were strong systems and processes in place to prevent exposures to youth and to non-smokers.”
Ampol employs more than 7,000 Australians and services more than three million customers each week, and are well versed in the sale of regulated products.
“As a fuel and convenience retailer, we are experienced in selling regulated products, including petroleum products and cigarettes. Cigarette and tobacco products are currently a significant revenue stream for Ampol’s convenience business,” said Ampol’s submission.
The submission goes on to highlight a “significant body of evidence which demonstrates that smoke-free products, including nicotine-based vaporisers (e-cigarettes) and smokeless tobacco products, provide smokers with a less harmful pathway off cigarettes”.
Ampol makes the point that like many convenience retailers, it is well positioned to support cigarette smokers transition to less harmful products due to its large number of conveniently located sites across Australia, with longer opening hours that other retail settings, such as chemists.
Deborah Jackson – C-Store.com – November 17, 2020.
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