The Economics of Tobacco Use in Jordan

Nadia J Sweis,Frank J Chaloupka

doi:10.1093/ntr/ntt058

Abstract

We conducted an independent survey of tobacco use in Jordan following the methods and template of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Using data collected on cigarette use and cigarette prices, we estimated the price elasticity of cigarette demand in Jordan. We used a 2-part model of cigarette demand. In the first part, we estimate the impact of prices on the decision to smoke while controlling for individual demographic and environmental characteristics. Conditional on smoking, we then estimate the effect of price on the number of cigarettes smoked. The total price elasticity of cigarette demand in Jordan was estimated to be -0.6. Smoking among women was found to be relatively unresponsive to price (elasticity of -0.01), whereas smoking among men was much more responsive to price (elasticity of -0.81). The price elasticity estimates suggest that significant increases in tobacco taxes are likely to be effective in reducing smoking in Jordan, particularly smoking among men.

Highlights

AND RATIONALE1.1 Rationale More than one billion people smoke tobacco worldwide
Without efforts to lessen tobacco use, the WHO estimates that more than 8 million deaths in 2030 will be related to tobacco use, and 6.4 million of these deaths will occur in developing countries (World Health Organization 2009)
Before effective antitobacco strategies can be implemented in Jordan, we need to have a better understanding of tobacco demand and other factors that influence tobacco use

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Rationale More than one billion people smoke tobacco worldwide. Of these smokers, 80% live in low-to-middle income countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The majority of tobacco-related deaths, most of which are preventable, occur in lower income countries. In 2010, 5.4 million people died due to tobacco-related diseases worldwide (World Health Organization 2009). Of these deaths, 600,000 were attributed to second-hand smoking (World Health Organization 2009). Without efforts to lessen tobacco use, the WHO estimates that more than 8 million deaths in 2030 will be related to tobacco use, and 6.4 million of these deaths will occur in developing countries (World Health Organization 2009)

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion