There are renewed calls for there to be a lockout on tobacco retailing.

Health researchers want retailers banned from selling cigarettes in a bid to slash our smoking rates.

The research suggests that the number of outlets selling cigarettes would gradually fall as dairies, liquor stores and supermarkets close or relocate.

The cancer society funded the research.

Health promotion manager Martin Witt told Larry Williams it is an excellent piece of research.

He says there are currently around 6,000 businesses selling tobacco in the country - though we don't know how many exact places there are. 

"Up to now, all the research has been about reducing demand. This is a way of addressing how we might see supply reduced."

LISTEN TO MARTIN WITT TALK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS ABOVE