Explain the impact of tax increases on smoking

Answer 1

Research studies have determined cigarette tax increases have some demonstrable effect on altering smoking behavior. Choi, Toomey, Chen, and Forster (2011 ) found that among adolescents and young adults, ignorance of cigarette tax increases had no effect on cigarette purchasing behavior, but smokers knowledgeable of the tax increases reported a 16.7% increase in cessation attempts and a 24.1% decrease in reported smoking behavior. Tax increases also resulted in decreased cigarette frequency and consumption (Carpenter & Cook, 2008). The potential benefit of cigarette tax increases is solely as a tool for smoking cessation. There is little evidence that tax increases have any preventative effect on smoking initiation (DeCicca, Kenkel, & Mathios, 2008). However, cigarette tax increases may have counterproductive, unintended consequences. For example, in New York City, a large tax increase prompted rapid and expansive growth in illegal black-market cigarettes in a minority community with low socioeconomic status. Intervention programs must balance the incentives of positive and negative behavior. Experts today cite the critical importance of increasing the price of tobacco and regard it as a primary strategy in the reduction of tobacco use at the population level.?