Cigarette tax saves infant lives.

Abstract

Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 52, Issue 5 p. 578-579 Heads UpFree Access Cigarette tax saves infant lives David Isaacs, Corresponding Author David Isaacs [email protected] Children's Hospital at Westmead, SydneySearch for more papers by this author David Isaacs, Corresponding Author David Isaacs [email protected] Children's Hospital at Westmead, SydneySearch for more papers by this author First published: 21 June 2016 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.13217AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Smoking in pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight, while parental smoking during infancy is associated with sudden infant death syndrome. Higher cigarette taxes are associated with lower rates of smoking in pregnancy, but the effect of cigarette pricing on infant mortality was unknown. A US study compared state-based data from 1999-2010 on cigarette tax and price with infant mortality, sub-divided by race, using time-series models. 1 The data were controlled for income, educational level, time trends and random effects. From 1999 through 2010, the mean overall US infant mortality rate decreased from 7.3 to 6.2 per 1000 live births. This decrease was significantly greater (P < 0.001) for non-Hispanic whites (6.0 to 5.3) and for non-Hispanic African Americans (14.3 to 11.3). State and federal cigarette taxes increased on average from $0.84 to $2.37 per pack allowing for inflation (P < 0.001). Using multivariable regression, every $1 increase per pack in cigarette tax was associated with a decrease in infant deaths of −0.19 per 1000 live births (95%CI interval −0.33 to −0.05). The decrease was −0.21 (−0.33 to −0.08) for non-Hispanic whites and −0.46 (−0.90 to −0.01) for non-Hispanic African Americans. Similar results were found modelling for cigarette price. Taxation is a justifiable public health measure for primary prevention. Reference 1Patrick SW et al. Pediatrics 2016; 137: e20152901. Volume52, Issue5May 2016Pages 578-579 ReferencesRelatedInformation