Abstract
The increasing effects caused by alcohol and tobacco calls for necessary interventions. This is not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries which seems to be affected more by this problem. Studies show that 80% of smokers worldwide are living in developing countries where tobacco related diseases have become major factors contributing toward high morbidity. Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption has been among global public health problems, where it accounts for about 6% of mortality and 5% of disability in the world. In addition, the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) was reported at 4% globally while in Africa it was 3%. Tanzania being the developing country and located in Africa is also at risk to be affected more if the necessary measures to control this unhealthy behaviour are not taken. However, due to limited information about the structure and behaviour of people in spending and consumption of these addictive products in Tanzania, it will be difficult to prepare relevant measures to curb those problems. Therefore, by using Tobit regression model, this study examined the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on alcohol and tobacco spending. This study found factors such income, culture, and change in preference over time to have a significant relationship with spending on alcohol and tobacco. This study creates a base for alcohol and tobacco spending behaviour in Tanzania. After determining spending behaviour, further studies need to be conducted to examine consumption behaviour and its effects to prepare relevant measures to control the risks of alcohol and tobacco in Tanzania.
Highlights
At least 80% of smokers in the world reside in developing countries where tobacco-related illnesses have become one of the major factors contributing towards high morbidity (John, 2006)
Income is one of the significant factors in explaining spending on alcohol and tobacco in Tanzania
The results show a positive correlation between alcohol and tobacco spending, and household income
Summary
At least 80% of smokers in the world reside in developing countries where tobacco-related illnesses have become one of the major factors contributing towards high morbidity (John, 2006). The high morbidity and mortality caused by tobaccorelated diseases make it difficult for developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (John, 2005). Among global public health problems, excessive alcohol consumption is among them where it accounts for about 6% of mortality and 5% of disability in the world (WHO, 2014). According to WHO, about 53% of youth aging from 15 years and above are estimated to have occasionally consumed alcohol in their lifetime where, 39% among them consumed even in the last year. The global estimates are not far from Africans' situation where in their lifetime, 43% of youth 15 years and above have occasionally consumed alcohol while among them, 30% have even consumed it in the last year (Francis et al, 2015)
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