Netherlands Survey Research Articles

Widening the price gap: the effect of the Netherlands' 2020 tax increase on tobacco prices.

The public health impact of a tobacco tax increase depends on the extent to which the industry passes the increase onto consumers, also known as tax-pass through. In 2020, the Netherlands announced tax increases aimed to increase the retail price by €1 per 20 factory-made cigarettes and €2.50 per 50 grams of roll-your-own tobacco. This study examines the pass-through rate after the tax increase, and whether this differed by type of tobacco and brand segment. Self-reported prices of 117 tobacco brand varieties (cigarettes=72, roll-your-own=45) pre- and post-tax increase were extracted from the 2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Surveys (n=2959 respondents). We calculated the tax pass-through rate per variant, examining differences between type of tobacco and brand segments. On average, cigarette prices increased by €1.12 (SD=0.49) (112% of €1) and roll-your-own prices by €2.53 (SD=0.60) (101% of €2.50). Evidence of differential shifting across segments was found, with evidence of overshifting in non-discount varieties. The average price of discount varieties increased with €0.20 less than non-discount varieties. Similarly, the net-of-tax price decreased in discount varieties (cigarettes=-€0.02; roll-your-own=-€0.05), but increased in non-discount varieties (cigarettes= +€0.14; roll-your-own= +€0.20). Despite the large tax increase, the industry increased prices in line or above the required level. Through differential shifting, the price gap between discount and non-discount varieties has widened, which may reduce the public health impact of the tax increase. Measures aimed at reducing price variability should be strengthened in taxation policy, such as the European Tobacco Tax Directive. We found that the industry used differential shifting after a significant tobacco tax increase in the Netherlands. Prices increased more than required in higher-priced products, but not in lower-priced products. This pattern was found both for factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. Through differential shifting, the industry undermines the potential public health impact of tobacco tax increases, by offering a relatively cheaper alternative, which discourages people to quit or reduce consumption. The revision of the European Tobacco Tax Directive (TTD) provides an opportunity to address the widening price gap - both between and within product segments - across the European Union.

Fertility intentions and perceived health status: A study of Polish migrants and non-migrants

AimsThis study aims, probably for the first time, to compare the fertility intentions of migrants and non-migrants of the same nationality at origin based on their self-rated health, wellbeing, and gender. MethodsThe study utilized data from the Families of Poles in the Netherlands (FPN) survey and the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). This study used Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition models and generalized ordered logit models (gologit). ResultsThe findings reveal that both migrants and non-migrants who have good self-rated health and wellbeing are more likely to express a desire to have children in the short-term. The impact of perceived health on the intention to have children is significant for both female and male irrespective of their migration status. Additionally, the average fertility intentions score is higher for Polish migrants residing in the Netherlands compared to Polish non-migrants residing in Poland across the models. The study emphasizes the role good perceived health plays in shaping fertility intentions.

Tax increases as an incentive to quit smoking: is thinking about quitting due to a tobacco tax increase associated with post-tax increase smoking cessation?

BackgroundThe cost of tobacco is one of the most reported reasons to quit smoking. The Netherlands increased tobacco taxes twice in the span of nine months: a €1 increase per pack in April 2020, and a €0.12 increase per pack in January 2021. This study examines to what extent people report to think about quitting due to the upcoming tax increase(s), as well as how it relates to their age, income or educational level. Additionally, we examined whether thinking about quitting was associated with quit intention and quit behaviour, and whether these associations were different for the two tax increases.MethodsLongitudinal data from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Surveys, Cohort 2 were used (N = 5919 observations; wave 1 (February – March 2020): n = 2051; wave 2 (September – November 2020): n = 1919; wave 3 (June – July 2021): n = 1949). Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) regressions were fit to test the associations between thinking about quitting due to the tax increase and post-tax increases in quit intention, serious quit attempts, and quitting smoking (≤ 1 cigarette a month), as well as sociodemographic variables.ResultsCirca half of the people who smoke reported thinking about quitting smoking due to the upcoming tax increase (Wave 1 = 51.3% (n = 1052); Wave 2 = 47.3% (n = 849)). Individuals who reported thinking about quitting smoking due to upcoming tax increase(s) were more likely to have increased their quit intention (aOR: 2.00, p ≤ .001) or have carried out a serious quit attempt (aOR:1.48, p ≤ .001) post-tax increase. More people attempted to quit smoking between wave 2 and 3 (post 2021 increase) than between wave 1 and 2 (post 2020 increase). We did not find an interaction effect between wave and thinking about quitting for quit intention, quit attempts, and quitting smoking.ConclusionsTax increases stimulate people to think about quitting. Thinking about quitting due to an upcoming tax increase was associated with more positive quit intention and serious quit attempts.

Interdependency of relationships in stepfamilies – Variation across residence arrangements

This study investigates how the quality of family relationships and children’s residence arrangements are associated with stepparent-child relationship quality. Prior literature has studied these factors separately, with the role of family relationships often studied only among stepfamilies with co-resident children. Little is known about how the relevance of family relationships varies depending on where children reside. The opportunity structure (e.g., contact frequency) within which various family relationships influence each other can differ across residence arrangements. This study, therefore, investigates the roles of multiple family relationships across children’s various residence arrangements - including the more contemporary arrangement of shared residence. Multiple regression analyses with moderation techniques were conducted using the New Families in the Netherlands (NFN) survey, large-scale data collected in 2020 among divorced and separated parents with a minor or (young) adult focal child ( N = 1829). We found for each family dyad (between the biological parent and the focal child, between the biological parent and the stepparent, and between the stepparent and the other biological parent of the focal child) that a high relationship quality was associated with higher stepparent-child relationship quality. Their importance, however, varied across residence arrangements. Poor relationship quality of the biological parent-child dyad and the stepparent-other biological parent dyad was associated with a poor stepparent-child relationship, especially when the focal child was nonresident. Whereas, there was a positive association between the stepcouple relationship and stepparent-child relationship quality primarily for children living full-time with the stepfamily. Altogether, the relationship quality of various family dyads spills over to the stepparent-child dyad - though the extent of this spillover differs depending on the opportunity structure determined by children’s residence.

Financial contributions to stepchildren: The role of gender and postdivorce family structure

AbstractObjectiveThis study describes patterns in stepparents' financial contributions and investigates their correlates in diverse stepfamily types.BackgroundMost research has studied contributions at the household level, rarely focusing on stepparents' direct contributions. Including various stepfamily structures (e.g., stepfamilies with joint physical custody), we examine the role of gender and postdivorce family structure for stepparents' contributions.MethodOrdinal logistic regression analyses were conducted using the New Families in the Netherlands (NFN) survey, large‐scale data collected among divorced and separated parents with minor children (2015/2016). Reports of respondents with a new partner about this stepparent's financial contributions to a specific focal child were analyzed (N = 1,439).ResultsStepparents' contributions were infrequent, but a sizable minority contributed very often. Stepparents contributed more often when married, when the focal child was coresident, and when the other biological parent of the focal child was repartnered with new biological children, but less often when stepparents had children from a prior relationship.ConclusionContributions depend on the strength of ties within stepfamilies—as with coresidence and marriage—and to what extent existing biological ties compete with stepparent–child relationships.ImplicationsTo better understand the dynamics of contributions, we should also consider the composition of biological ties surrounding stepparent–child relationships.

Der religiöse Wandel von Neuzugewanderten in einem säkularen Kontext und seine Beziehung zur sozialen Integration

AbstractThis paper examines how integration into various sub-domains of the receiving society, including the labor market, informal contacts, attitudes and values, and identification, is associated with religious change among recent Christian and Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands—one of the least religious countries in Europe. The analysis uses data from the New Immigrants to the Netherlands Survey (NIS2NL), a four-wave panel study of recently arrived immigrants from four countries (Bulgaria, Poland, Spain and Turkey). Using latent growth models, we identify the average trajectory of religious participation (service attendance and prayer) and identity (subjective importance of religion) of recent immigrants and examine the role of time-invariant and time-varying explanations for religious change in the early years of resettlement. We find that immigrants’ religious practices increase in the first years after arrival, following a substantial drop from pre-migration participation levels. However, this increase eventually levels off and even reverses with increasing length of stay. We observe a linear but modest decrease in religious identification over time that replicates across all origin groups. In line with expectations derived from assimilation theory, we find that migrants who are employed and hold more liberal attitudes regarding homosexuality, gender relations, divorce and abortion show a greater decrease in religiosity, whereas the opposite is true for those who identify more strongly with their origin country. The findings are remarkably similar for Muslim and Christian newcomers and suggest that all immigrants are susceptible to the secularizing forces of the receiving society. This indicates the potential for the “bright” boundary between Muslim immigrants and secular hosts to become more “blurred” with increasing length of stay and integration into “the mainstream”.

Smokers’ strategies to reduce tobacco spending after a major tobacco tax increase: Findings from the 2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

Smokers’ strategies to reduce tobacco spending after a major tobacco tax increase: Findings from the 2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

Smokers’ strategies to reduce tobacco spending: self-reported use and differences across subgroups. Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

BackgroundThe cost of tobacco is one of the most reported reasons for smoking cessation. Rather than quitting, smokers can use also strategies to reduce tobacco expenditure while continuing smoking, such as smoking less or using price-minimising strategies. The Netherlands announced to increase the price of a pack cigarettes from seven (2018) to ten euros (2023), to reduce tobacco prevalence and consumption. This study explores the self-reported strategies to reduce tobacco spending among Dutch smokers, and whether this differed per age, income, and education. Additionally, we analysed among quitters in these subgroups whether price played a role in their decision to quit.MethodsCross-sectional survey data from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Wave 2 (September–November 2020, N = 1915) was used. Strategies to reduce spending among smokers (N = 1790) were: reducing consumption, bulk buying, switching to cheaper products or buying from low-taxed sources. These were collapsed into: reducing consumption (solely or in combination with other behaviours), solely price-minimising behaviours (such as buying cheaper brands), or no strategies to reduce spending. Associations between strategies and characteristics were analysed through multinomial and binary logistic regression models. Second, we explored which subgroups were more likely to report that price played a role in their decision to quit among quitters (N = 125).ResultsThe majority of smokers used strategies to reduce tobacco spending: 35.6% reduced consumption and 19.3% used solely price-minimising strategies. 82.1% of quitters reported that price played a role in their decision to quit. Low-income individuals were more likely to report price as a reason for quitting and reduce consumption, but also to buy cheaper products. Highly nicotine dependent smokers were more likely to use price-minimising behaviours, and less likely to reduce consumption.ConclusionsThe majority reported using strategies to reduce spending or that price played a role in their decision to quit. Reducing consumption was the most reported strategy. Low-income smokers were more likely to reportedly reduce consumption, buy cheaper products, or quit. Price policies have the potential to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking. To discourage price-minimising behaviours, such as switching to cheaper products, reducing price differences between products should be prioritized.

Illicit purchasing and use of flavour accessories after the European Union menthol cigarette ban: findings from the 2020-21 ITC Netherlands Surveys.

The 2020 European Union (EU) menthol cigarette ban increased quitting among pre-ban menthol smokers in the Netherlands, but some reported continuing to smoke menthol cigarettes. This study examined three possible explanations for post-ban menthol use-(i) illicit purchasing, (ii) use of flavour accessories and (iii) use of non-menthol replacement brands marketed for menthol smokers. Data were from the ITC Netherlands Cohort Surveys among adult smokers before the menthol ban (Wave 1: February-March 2020, N = 2067) and after the ban (Wave 2: September-November 2020, N = 1752; Wave 3: June-July 2021, N = 1721). Bivariate, logistic regression and generalized estimating equation model analyses were conducted on weighted data. Illicit purchasing remained low from pre-ban (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.8-3.2, Wave 1) to post-ban (1.7%, 1.2-2.5%, Wave 3), with no difference between menthol and non-menthol smokers from Wave 1 to Wave 3. About 4.4% of post-ban menthol smokers last purchased their usual brand outside of the EU and 3.6% from the internet; 42.5% of post-ban menthol smokers and 4.4% of smokers overall reported using flavour accessories, with greater odds among those aged 25-39 years vs. 55+ (aOR = 3.16, P = 0.002). Approximately 70% of post-ban smokers who reported using a menthol brand were actually using a non-menthol replacement brand. There was no increase in illicit purchasing or of smuggling outside the EU among menthol and non-menthol smokers in the Netherlands 1 year after the EU menthol cigarette ban. Use of flavour accessories and non-menthol replacement brands best explain post-ban menthol use, suggesting the need to ban accessories and ensure industry compliance.

Smoking Cessation Among Gender Minority Populations, Cis-women, and Cis-men: Findings From the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey.

Little is known about smoking cessation among gender minority populations compared to cisgender individuals (whose gender matches their sex assigned at birth). We examined differences between smokers from gender minority populations, cis-women, and cis-men in the heaviness of smoking, quit intentions, use of cessation assistance, quit attempts (ever tried and number), and triggers for thinking about quitting. We used cross-sectional data from the 2020 International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey. Among smoking respondents, we distinguished (1) cis-women (female sex, identified as women, and having feminine gender roles; n = 670), (2) cis-men (male sex, identified as men, and having masculine gender roles; n = 897), and (3) gender minorities (individuals who were intersex, who identified as nonbinary, genderqueer, had a sex/gender identity not listed, whose gender roles were not feminine or masculine, or whose gender identity and/or roles were not congruent with sex assigned at birth; n = 220). Although gender minorities did not differ from cis-women and cis-men in the heaviness of smoking, plans to quit smoking, and quit attempts, they were significantly more likely to use cessation assistance (20% in the past 6 months) than cis-women (12%) and cis-men (9%). Gender minorities were also significantly more likely to report several triggers for thinking about quitting smoking, for example, quit advice from a doctor, an anti-smoking message/campaign, and the availability of a telephone helpline. Despite equal levels of quit attempts and heaviness of smoking, gender minority smokers make more use of smoking assistance, and respond stronger to triggers for thinking about quitting smoking. Smoking cessation counselors should be sensitive to the stressors that individuals from any minority population face, such as stigmatization, discrimination, and loneliness, and should educate their smoking clients on effective coping mechanisms to prevent relapse into smoking after they experience these stressors. Developing tailored smoking cessation programs or campaigns specifically for gender minority populations can also be useful. Based on the results of our subgroup analyses, programs or campaigns for younger gender minority smokers could focus on the availability of telephone helplines and on how friends and family think about their smoking behavior.

Trends in Individualized Affordability of Factory-Made Cigarettes: Findings of the 2008-2020 International Tobacco Control Netherlands Surveys.

Cigarette affordability, the price of tobacco relative to consumer income, is a key determinant of tobacco consumption. This study examined trends over 12 years in individualized factory-made cigarette affordability in the Netherlands, and whether these trends differed by sex, age, and education. Data from 10 waves (2008-2020) of the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Surveys were used to estimate individualized affordability, measured as the percentage of income required to buy 100 cigarette packs (Relative Income Price [RIP]), using self-reported prices and income. The higher the RIP, the less affordable cigarettes are. Generalized estimating equation regression models assessed trends in individualized affordability over time and by sex, age, and education. Affordability decreased significantly between 2008 and 2020, with RIP increasing from 1.89% (2008) to 2.64% (2020) (p ≤ .001), except for 2008-2010, no significant year-on-year changes in affordability were found. Lower affordability was found among subgroups who have a lower income level: Females (vs. males), 18-24 and 25-39-year-olds (vs. 55 years and over) and low or moderate-educated individuals (vs. highly educated). Interactions between wave and education (p = .007) were found, but not with sex (p = .653) or age (p = .295). A decreasing linear trend in affordability was found for moderately (p = .041) and high-educated (p = .025), but not for low-educated individuals (p = .149). Cigarettes in the Netherlands have become less affordable between 2008 and 2020, yet this was mostly because of the decrease in affordability between 2008 and 2010. There is a need for more significant increases in tax to further decrease affordability. Our findings suggest that cigarettes have become less affordable in the Netherlands between 2008 and 2020. But, this appears to be the result of a steep decrease in affordability between 2008 and 2010. Affordability was lower among groups who have on average lower incomes (females, young adults, and low- and moderate-educated individuals), and differences in trends across education levels could be explained by per capita income changes. Our individualized measure indicated lower affordability than published aggregate affordability estimations. Future tax increases should be large enough to result in a lower affordability.

Impact of the European Union’s menthol cigarette ban on smoking cessation outcomes: longitudinal findings from the 2020–2021 ITC Netherlands Surveys

IntroductionTo reduce the appeal of tobacco, the European Union (EU) banned menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes in May 2020. This pre/post-study evaluated the impact of the menthol ban...

Trends in individualized affordability of cigarettes: Findings of the 2008–2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Surveys

Trends in individualized affordability of cigarettes: Findings of the 2008–2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Surveys

Illicit purchasing and use of flavor accessories before and after the EU menthol cigarette ban: Findings from the 2020–2021 ITC Netherlands Surveys

Illicit purchasing and use of flavor accessories before and after the EU menthol cigarette ban: Findings from the 2020–2021 ITC Netherlands Surveys

Automated fault detection in the Arabian Basin

In recent years, there has been a rapid development of the computer-aided interpretation of seismic data to reduce the otherwise intensive manual labor. A variety of seed detection algorithms for horizon and fault identification are integrated into popular seismic software packages. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on using neural networks for fully automatic fault detection without manually seeding each fault. These networks are usually trained with synthetic fault data sets. These data sets can be used across multiple seismic data sets; however, they are not as accurate as real seismic data, particularly in structurally complex regions associated with several generations of faults. The approach taken here is to combine the accuracy of manual fault identification in certain parts of the data set with a convolutional neural network that can then sweep through the entire data set to identify faults. We have implemented our method using 3D seismic data acquired from the Arabian Basin in Saudi Arabia covering an area of 1051 km2. The network is trained, validated, and tested with samples that included a seismic cube and fault images that are labeled manually corresponding to the seismic cube. The model successfully identifies faults with an accuracy of 96% and an error rate of 0.12 on the training data set. To achieve a robust model, we further enhance the prediction results using postprocessing by linking discontinued segments of the same fault line, thus reducing the number of detected faults. The postprocessing improves the prediction results from the test data set by 77.5%. In addition, we introduce an efficient framework to correlate the predictions and the ground truth by measuring their average distance value. Furthermore, tests using this approach also have been conducted on the F3 Netherlands survey with complex fault geometries and find promising results. As a result, fault detection and diagnosis are achieved efficiently with structures similar to the trained data set.

Parental involvement in stepfamilies: Biology, relationship type, residence, and gender

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigates the determinants of parental involvement in diverse types of stepfamilies.BackgroundMost research has studied parental involvement in married stepfather families with resident children. This study also includes some of the more recent and emerging stepfamily types (e.g., living‐apart‐together [LAT] stepfamilies) allowing for a simultaneous examination of the role of biological relatedness, type of relationship, residence, and gender for parental involvement. It also examines whether the role of biological relatedness differs depending on parents' gender and children's residence.MethodMultiple regression analyses were conducted using the New Families in the Netherlands (NFN) survey, large‐scale data collected among divorced and separated parents with minor children (2015/16; N = 3218).ResultsBiological parents were more involved than stepparents (i.e., a stepgap was observed). This stepgap was smallest in married stepfamilies, followed by cohabiting stepfamilies and LAT stepfamilies, respectively. (Step)parents with resident children were more involved than those with nonresident children, with involvement being higher for full‐time resident children than part‐time resident (i.e., joint physical custody) children. The stepgap was larger for resident children than nonresident children, but did not differ between mothers and fathers.ConclusionBiological relatedness, type of relationship, and where children reside are important determinants of parental involvement, whereas more nuance is required for the role of parents' gender.

Menthol smokers' behavioural responses to the European Union ban on menthol: Findings from Wave 2 of the ITC Netherlands Survey with New Cohort

Menthol smokers' behavioural responses to the European Union ban on menthol: Findings from Wave 2 of the ITC Netherlands Survey with New Cohort

Demand for Factory-Made Cigarettes and Roll-Your-Own Tobacco and Differences Between Age and Socioeconomic Groups: Findings From the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey.

IntroductionMacroeconomic studies have shown that young individuals who smoke, and have a low socioeconomic status respond more strongly to price increases. Most of this evidence stems from research on factory-made (FM) cigarettes. With the rising popularity of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, there is a need for studies on cigarette demand that distinguish between both.Aims and MethodsThis study examined whether individual demand differed for FM and RYO tobacco, and across age, and socioeconomic (income and education) groups. Purchase tasks for FM and RYO cigarettes were included in the 2020 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey. Adults who smoke daily (n = 1620) stated how many cigarettes they would smoke in 24 hours across eight prices. Four demand indices were derived: intensity (consumption at zero costs), alpha (rate of change in elasticity), Pmax (turning point elasticity), and breakpoint (lowest price where consumption equals zero). The indices were tested for subgroup differences.ResultsIndividuals who smoke RYO tobacco indicated higher intensity, and greater alpha than individuals who smoke FM cigarettes. Participants aged 25–39 had lower Pmax, and 18–24 year olds displayed higher breakpoints. Participants with low income displayed higher intensity, and lower Pmax than other income groups. No associations were found with education.ConclusionsIndividuals who smoke RYO tobacco indicated higher price sensitivity than those smoking FM cigarettes, supporting the need to harmonize tobacco taxation. Taxation may be especially beneficial to reducing consumption among individuals with a low income or smoke RYO tobacco. Substantially higher prices are needed in the Netherlands to achieve the desired results.ImplicationsIndividuals who smoke daily were willing to pay substantially higher prices than the current market prices, indicating the room and need for much higher taxation levels. Demand for RYO tobacco was more sensitive to price changes than demand for FM cigarettes. Taxation should be raised at equivalent rates for FM and RYO cigarettes. Taxation appears to be especially effective in reducing consumption among people who smoke RYO tobacco and low-income individuals. It remains important to combine increased taxation with other tobacco control measures.

Are Separated Fathers Less or More Involved in Childrearing than Partnered Fathers?

Separated fathers are generally assumed to be less involved with their children than partnered fathers. Yet, extant research on separated fathers has mainly focused on nonresident fathers without taking into consideration the existing diversity in post-separation residence arrangements. In fact, separated resident and shared residence fathers may possibly be more involved than partnered fathers, because the former likely bear primary childcare responsibilities, while the latter often act as secondary caregivers. This study extends previous research by investigating father involvement via regular care and leisure activities across a full range of separated fathers, and how it compares to that of partnered fathers, as well as whether patterns differ by father’s education. Data from the New Families in the Netherlands survey (N = 1592) reveal that as compared to partnered fathers, shared residence fathers and especially resident fathers are more actively involved in the regular care of their child, whereas nonresident fathers are less involved. Results are similar for leisure, except that partnered fathers are similarly involved as shared residence fathers in this activity. Education also matters: involvement of fathers across different post-separation residence arrangements is more similar to that of partnered fathers when being highly educated. These findings suggest that including resident and shared residence fathers in the picture offers a more optimistic view of fathers’ post-separation parenting role, because these separated fathers are actually more actively involved in childrearing than partnered fathers.

Later-Life Migration in The Netherlands: Propensity to Move and Residential Mobility

As the populations age, there is a growing potential for later-life migration. In this study, the residential moving behavior of older adults in the Netherlands is examined. On the basis of pooled data from the Housing Research Netherlands (HRN) survey, we were able to reveal which factors are likely to influence considerations about moving and actual mobility. The results support the premise that residential mobility decreases with age. The strongest predictors of actual mobility were factors associated with the dwelling, while the neighborhood, particularly the extent of social cohesiveness, played a substantial role in explaining the older adults’ propensity to move.