Reduce Tobacco Consumption Research Articles

Unraveling the Effects of Economic Growth and Unemployment on Tobacco Use: A Panel Data Approach.

The economic situation is recognized as a significant factor influencing tobacco consumption. Accordingly, this research aims to investigate the relationship between economic growth, unemployment, and tobacco use. This investigation employs data from 1985 to 2019 to elucidate the relationship between economic growth, unemployment, and tobacco consumption in a select group of OECD countries. Employing Pedroni and Johansen-Fisher Panel Co-Integration Tests, we assess the co-integrating relationships. Furthermore, FMOLS and DOLS techniques are applied, complemented by the Dumitrescu Hurlin Panel Causality Test. FMOLS and DOLS results suggest that a 1% increase in GDP leads to a 6.46% and 7.29% rise in tobacco consumption, respectively, while GDP squared results in a 0.39% and 0.43% decrease. However, both tests failed to establish a significant relationship between tobacco consumption and unemployment. Cointegration was confirmed by Johansen-Fisher and Pedroni tests. Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality tests revealed direction of granger causality from economic growth to tobacco consumption, but not with unemployment. Tobacco consumption declined across all countries studied. Economic growth shows a positive association, while GDP squared has a negative association, indicating an inverted U-shaped relationship. No significant relationship was found with unemployment in the employed tests. In addition to the measures implemented by countries to reduce tobacco consumption, economic factors also exert a significant relation with smoking behavior. The available results suggests that economic growth initially associated with increase in tobacco consumption but reduction in later stages indicating a long-term inverse relationship between economic growth and tobacco use.

Comprehensive guide to tobacco control policy implementation

Background: Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease worldwide. Effective tobacco control policies are essential in mitigating these health risks. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003, provides a comprehensive framework for implementing evidence-based tobacco control measures globally. This project aims to develop and implement robust tobacco control policies to reduce tobacco consumption and its associated health risks. Methods and Materials: The project involved a comprehensive review of existing tobacco control policies, data collection on tobacco use and related health outcomes, and the development of a multi-sectoral task force. Key strategies included setting clear goals, stakeholder engagement, public awareness campaigns, and the drafting of legislative and policy documents. Implementation mechanisms such as enforcement and evaluation systems were also established to ensure compliance and measure the policy's impact. Results: The implementation of the tobacco control policies resulted in a significant reduction in smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke. Public awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use increased, and there was enhanced support for smoking cessation services. The project also identified best practices and strategies that can be adopted by other regions to achieve similar outcomes. Conclusion: This project highlights the importance of comprehensive research, effective coordination, and well-planned implementation in developing and executing tobacco control policies. The findings and recommendations presented serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and public health professionals aiming to reduce smoking rates and protect public health. Continued collaboration and adaptation of these strategies are essential for sustaining the progress made in tobacco control.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of population-level interventions to tackle smoking behaviour.

This preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD 42022311392) aimed to synthesize the effectiveness of all available population-level tobacco policies on smoking behaviour. Our search across 5 databases and leading organizational websites resulted in 9,925 records, with 476 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. In our narrative summary and both pairwise and network meta-analyses, we identified anti-smoking campaigns, health warnings and tax increases as the most effective tobacco policies for promoting smoking cessation. Flavour bans and free/discounted nicotine replacement therapy also showed statistically significant positive effects on quit rates. The network meta-analysis results further indicated that smoking bans, anti-tobacco campaigns and tax increases effectively reduced smoking prevalence. In addition, flavour bans significantly reduced e-cigarette consumption. Both the narrative summary and the meta-analyses revealed that smoking bans, tax increases and anti-tobacco campaigns were associated with reductions in tobacco consumption and sales. On the basis of the available evidence, anti-tobacco campaigns, smoking bans, health warnings and tax increases are probably the most effective policies for curbing smoking behaviour.

Economy-wide impact of a reduction in tobacco use in India

BackgroundPublic policy measures aimed at regulating tobacco use should consider the net gains for the nation, as the tobacco sector contributes to employment and tax revenue while also imposing substantial...

Factors influencing tobacco quitting: findings from National Tobacco-Quitline Services, Mumbai, India.

The Government of India established National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) to provide free and effective telephonic counselling to help people quit tobacco. The objective of the paper is to present the data of tobacco quitters who quit tobacco through NTQLS, Mumbai, in the years 2021-2022 and the factors that influenced tobacco quitting. This is a prospective study where individuals willing to quit tobacco utilised NTQLS. Effective counselling was provided and was followed up. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted. Tobacco quitting is the dependent variable while sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco consumption habits, previous quit attempts, alcohol consumption, other substance use and co-morbidity were independent variables. In the years 2021-2022, a total of 448,893 calls hit the system. Of these, 127,163 (28.3%) calls were attended. Of the attended calls, a quit date was set for 21,504 calls (16.9%); of these, 8,276 (38.5%) callers quit tobacco. Individuals with no previous quit attempts [OR: 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-1.75], never consumed alcohol (OR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.2-1.56), consumed tobacco within 6-30 minutes (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.49) and 30-60 minutes after waking up (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05-1.51) had higher quitting rates. While, female callers (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35-0.99), private sector workers (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81), individuals consuming more than ten tobacco units/packets (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.61-0.79), tobacco use more than 10 years (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97), expenditure of more than 5,000 rupees on tobacco (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44-0.77) and those with no known co-morbid conditions (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.71-0.91) were less likely to quit tobacco. Reduced tobacco consumption will inadvertently reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden and help in achieving the sustainable development goals related to tobacco control and NCD. Quitline plays an important role in tobacco control.

Addressing Adolescent Smoking Cessation through Innovative Approaches: A Call for Action

The issue of adolescent smoking represents a significant challenge to global public health, contributing markedly to the burden of disease and mortality on a global scale. Despite the implementation of numerous strategies to reduce tobacco consumption, the prevalence of smoking among adolescents remains a significant concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The use of tobacco during adolescence not only increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer but also presents challenges to smoking cessation due to the addictive properties of nicotine and the sociocultural factors influencing youth behavior. This paper is expected to offer valuable insights into the potential of technology-based solutions to support smoking cessation among adolescents, contributing to broader efforts to reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality on a global scale.

Distributional Impacts of Tobacco Excise Taxes in Serbia.

Numerous studies worldwide have investigated the impact of tobacco tax increase on household welfare, focusing on concerns regarding potential tobacco taxation regressivity and its effects on the poorest, whereas their scope was limited to the working population. To explore the effects of tax changes on household budgets, accounting for the retired population as well, we employed the modified Extended Cost-Benefit Analysis (ECBA) framework, assuming a 43.6% specific tax increase that fits the EU Tobacco Tax Directive recommendation of minimum EUR 90 excise taxes per 1,000 cigarettes. Our analysis encompassed changes in: 1) tobacco expenditure (accounting for price elasticities by income groups: low-, middle-, and high-income), 2) medical costs linked to smoking-related diseases (utilizing relative risk of morbidity/mortality and smoking-attributable fractions), 3) years of working life (considering the years of working life lost among the working population), and 4) years of pension receipt (accounting for the years of retirement life lost due the premature death). Under an assumed specific excise increase leading to a 22.4% retail tobacco price rise, the net gains in disposable household budgets would be 0.01% for high-income, 1.3% for middle-income, and 2.9% for low-income households. A tax increase would yield a progressive effect on income distribution, benefiting the most economically disadvantaged population thereby contributing to a more equitable income distribution. To effectively reduce tobacco consumption, subsequent smoking-related medical costs, and associated productivity and pension losses, it is recommended that Serbia implement a minimum 43.6% increase in the specific tobacco excise tax.

Crowding out and impoverishing effect of tobacco in Mexico

IntroductionTobacco is one of the world’s largest preventable causes of premature death, accounting for more than 8 million deaths and costing the global economy US$1.4 trillion each year. Smoking is...

Intention to Quit Tobacco due to Media Advertisements in India: Findings from Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-17.

Tobacco has been among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In reducing tobacco consumption, media campaigns are crucial in raising awareness and encouraging individuals to quit. The present study aimed to profile participants of GATS-2, including tobacco usage patterns and media exposure, and explore the factors associated with quitting in the presence of media exposure. Secondary data analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (2016-17) data was done among current daily cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users. The primary independent variable was an intention to quit, while media exposure was the primary independent variable. Respondents were profiled as per various socio-demographic variables, and exposure to media advertisements and intention to quit were assessed using weighted bivariate analysis and multivariate log regression analysis. Males, and respondents aged 15 to 45, had more exposure to media and advertisements than female respondents. Cigarette smokers with moderate consumption, better awareness, those who had made any quit attempts in the last 12 months, and moderate to high media exposure depicted better intention to quit. In SLT users, intention to quit depicted significant odds per education level quit attempts and exposure to media and advertisements. We report a high intention to quit among those exposed to advertisements. Media campaigns play an important role in promoting tobacco control. There is a need to assess the impact of such advertisements on behavioral aspects. At the same time, comprehensive tobacco control policies should go hand in hand in reducing smoking rates.

The effectiveness of a standardized tobacco cessation program on psychophysiological parameters in patients with addiction undergoing long-term rehabilitation: a quasi-experimental pilot study.

Although there is a very high comorbidity between tobacco dependence and other addictive disorders, there are only few studies examining the implementation and outcomes of a tobacco cessation program in patients with addictive diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate to what extent a standardized tobacco cessation program leads to improvements regarding psychological/physical parameters in patients with addiction undergoing therapy and whether there is a reduction in tobacco consumption. The study took place in a therapeutic community specialized in addiction therapy. A total sample of 56 participants were non-randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 31) and a treatment as usual group (TAUG; n = 25). The IG participated in a 6-week tobacco cessation program, while the TAUG received no additional treatment. Both groups were assessed for changes in primary outcomes (tobacco dependence, smoked cigarettes per day (CPD), and general substance-related craving) and secondary outcomes (heart rate variability (HRV): root mean square of successive differences, self-efficacy, and comorbid psychiatric symptoms) at two measurement time points (pre- and post-treatment/6weeks). We observed significant improvements in self-efficacy (F(1,53) = 5.86; p < .05; ηp2 = .11) and decreased CPD in the IG (β = 1.16, ρ < .05), while no significant changes were observed in the TAUG. No significant interaction effects were observed in psychiatric symptoms, general substance-related craving, and HRV. The results highlight the potential benefit of an additional tobacco cessation program as part of a general addiction treatment. Although no improvements in the physiological domain were observed, there were significant improvements regarding self-efficacy and CPD in the IG compared to the TAUG. Randomized controlled trials on larger samples would be an important next step. ISRCTN15684371.

Penegakan Hukum dan Sanksi Serta Kendala pada Peraturan Daerah Kota Semarang Nomor 3 Tahun 2013 Tentang Kawasan Tanpa Rokok

Smoking is the act of inhaling tobacco smoke, which has serious impacts on health and society. Even though reduction efforts have been made, Indonesia has a high smoking prevalence rate. No-Smoking Areas are regulated by Law Number 3 of 2013. Challenges in enforcing the rules arise in public places, with a lack of awareness and supervision. This research highlights the obstacles and effectiveness of law enforcement by Satpol PP in Semarang City regarding Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas. This research uses qualitative methods to explain the interactions between researchers and respondents. Research parameters include analysis and description. The data source is secondary data from primary and secondary legal materials. Data collection methods involve interviews, observation, literature study, and documentation. Data is presented in narrative form, and data analysis uses a qualitative normative approach. The research focuses on enforcing no-smoking area rules in the city of Semarang. Semarang, capital of Central Java, Indonesia. The research highlights the enforcement of Semarang City Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas. Routine Satpol PP outreach in schools, public places, offices and tourist attractions increases public awareness. Sanctions include warnings, statements that you will not smoke, and sanctions for minor crimes. The main obstacles involve societal ignorance and a lack of human resources. However, increased awareness since 2017 shows positive progress. This research concludes that the implementation of Semarang City Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas has succeeded in increasing public awareness through routine Satpol PP outreach. Sanctions are applied systematically and progressively, in accordance with regulations, with the potential to reduce tobacco consumption. The main obstacle involves community ignorance, requiring cooperation from the government, Satpol PP, Non-Governmental Organizations, and communities to increase understanding and compliance. Suggestions involve stronger synergies, comprehensive implementation methods, and active cooperation to achieve efficient and sustainable smoke-free areas in Semarang City.

Tobacco packaging and labeling policies in the WHO African Region: Progress 15 years after adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 11 Implementation Guidelines.

Article 11 of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) requires Parties to adopt and implement effective tobacco packaging and labeling policies to communicate health risks and reduce tobacco consumption. The goal of this study was to assess adoption of these policies in the WHO African Region (AFRO). We reviewed tobacco packaging and labeling policies adopted in AFRO from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' Tobacco Control Laws database (w w w.tobaccocontrollaws.org). We assessed these policies based on WHO FCTC Article 11 and its Implementation Guidelines examining three sub-policy areas (health warning labels [HWLs], descriptive constituents and emissions information, and misleading packaging and labeling). We developed a scoring system to rank AFRO countries individually and by World Bank's income-level groups and documented the progress during 1985-2023. Forty (of 47) AFRO countries adopted national laws, of which a majority adopted large rotating pictorial HWLs and banned misleading descriptors; only Cote d'Ivoire and Mauritius adopted standardized packaging. The higher a country is in the World Bank's income-level group, the stronger their packaging and labeling policies are. This observation was not present in the sub-policy area of HWLs. Prior to approving the WHO FCTC Article 11 Implementation Guidelines, only 23 countries adopted text-only HWLs whereas 26 countries adopted pictorial HWLs after the approval. Several AFRO countries have adopted tobacco packaging and labeling policies that align with the WHO FCTC Article 11 Implementation Guidelines. More efforts could be directed toward the low-income group and disseminating standardized packaging throughout AFRO. In the WHO African Region (AFRO), the number of tobacco users is increasing, highlighting the need for tobacco packaging and labeling policies aligned with WHO FCTC Article 11 and its Implementation Guidelines as these are proven tobacco control strategies. This study provides a country-level and income-level group ranking of tobacco packaging and labeling policies and documents the evolution of health warning labels adopted in AFRO. It also identifies regional and income-level group successes and gaps in tobacco product packaging and labeling policies and provides recommendations to further align with WHO FCTC Article 11 and its Implementation Guidelines.

Should tobacco sales be restricted to state-run alcohol outlets? Perspectives from 10 US alcohol control states.

The ubiquity of tobacco retailers helps to sustain the tobacco epidemic. A tobacco retail reduction approach that has not been tried is transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS), which are limited in number and operate under some restrictions, e.g. regarding opening hours or marketing materials. This study summarizes policy experts' and advocates' views of TTS, including (1) advantages and disadvantages; (2) feasibility; and (3) potential implementation obstacles. This study was a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Ten US states with alcoholic beverage control systems wereincluded. The participants comprised a total of 103 tobacco control advocates and professionals, public health officials, alcohol policy experts and alcohol control system representatives, including two tribal community representatives. Interviewees' perspectives on their state's alcoholic beverage control agency (ABC, the agency that oversees or operates a state alcohol monopoly) and on TTS were assessed. Interviewees thought TTS offered potential advantages, including reduced access to tobacco products, less exposure to tobacco advertising and a greater likelihood of successful smoking cessation. Some saw potential long-term health benefits for communities of color, due to the smaller number of state alcohol stores in those communities. Interviewees also raised concerns regarding TTS, including ABCs' limited focus on public health and emphasis on revenue generation, which could conflict with tobacco use reduction efforts. Some interviewees thought TTS could enhance the power of the tobacco and alcohol industries, increase calls for alcohol system privatization or create difficulties for those in recovery. In the United States, transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS) could have a positive public health impact by reducing tobacco availability, marketing exposure and, ultimately, tobacco use. However, tensions exist between alcohol control system goals of providing revenue to the state and protecting public health. Should a state decide to pursue TTS, several guardrails should be established, including building into the legislation an explicit goal of reducing tobacco consumption.

Cigarette Prices and Smoking Experimentation Among Zimbabwean Children: A Survival Analysis of the 2014 Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Zimbabwe has a smoking prevalence of 11.7% among the adult population (15 years and older). Thus, in the absence of effective tobacco control measures, the economic burden of tobacco use will be aggravated, especially considering the increasing tobacco industry activity in the country. Increasing cigarette prices is one possible strategy to reduce tobacco consumption. This study seeks to examine the relationship between cigarette prices and smoking experimentation among children in Zimbabwe, thereby expanding the evidence base for the likely impact of excise taxes on cigarette demand in low- and middle-income countries. A survival analysis using the Zimbabwe 2014 Global Youth Tobacco Survey data. A 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces the probability of experimenting with smoking by 9%. Also, children are more likely to experiment with smoking if they have a smoking brother or father who smokes, or see teachers who smoke. The likelihood of experimenting with smoking is higher among boys than girls and is positively associated with age. There is strong evidence that increasing excise taxes can play an effective role in discouraging children from experimenting with cigarette smoking. Considering the relatively low excise tax burden in Zimbabwe, the government should consider substantially increasing the excise tax burden. With the number of smokers in low- and middle-income countries expected to increase as the industry intensively expands its market by targeting the youth, increasing excise taxes will play a significant role in preventing children from initiating smoking and help those who are already using tobacco to quit. An increase in the excise tax increases the retail price of tobacco products, making them less affordable, and reduces the demand for them.

Penegakan Hukum dan Sanksi Serta Kendala pada Peraturan Daerah Kota Semarang Nomor 3 Tahun 2013 Tentang Kawasan Tanpa Rokok

Smoking is the act of inhaling tobacco smoke, which has serious impacts on health and society. Even though reduction efforts have been made, Indonesia has a high smoking prevalence rate. No-Smoking Areas are regulated by Law Number 3 of 2013. Challenges in enforcing the rules arise in public places, with a lack of awareness and supervision. This research highlights the obstacles and effectiveness of law enforcement by Satpol PP in Semarang City regarding Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas. This research uses qualitative methods to explain the interactions between researchers and respondents. Research parameters include analysis and description. The data source is secondary data from primary and secondary legal materials. Data collection methods involve interviews, observation, literature study, and documentation. Data is presented in narrative form, and data analysis uses a qualitative normative approach. The research focuses on enforcing no-smoking area rules in the city of Semarang. Semarang, capital of Central Java, Indonesia. The research highlights the enforcement of Semarang City Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas. Routine Satpol PP outreach in schools, public places, offices and tourist attractions increases public awareness. Sanctions include warnings, statements that you will not smoke, and sanctions for minor crimes. The main obstacles involve societal ignorance and a lack of human resources. However, increased awareness since 2017 shows positive progress. This research concludes that the implementation of Semarang City Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning No-Smoking Areas has succeeded in increasing public awareness through routine Satpol PP outreach. Sanctions are applied systematically and progressively, in accordance with regulations, with the potential to reduce tobacco consumption. The main obstacle involves community ignorance, requiring cooperation from the government, Satpol PP, Non-Governmental Organizations, and communities to increase understanding and compliance. Suggestions involve stronger synergies, comprehensive implementation methods, and active cooperation to achieve efficient and sustainable smoke-free areas in Semarang City.

The Economic Costs of Tobacco Related Illnesses in Kenya.

To estimate the economic costs of selected tobacco-related illnesses (TRI) in Kenya in 2022. This study was conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1, conducted between 2021 and 2022, entailed conducting a cross-sectional study conducted in 4 national public referral hospitals in Kenya. Patients with cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or tuberculosis were interviewed to compute the indirect and direct medical costs related to the illness. Activity-Based Costing approach was used to capture costs for services along the continuum of care pathway. In the second phase, the Tobacco Attributable Factor was used to estimate the direct, indirect, and ultimately economic cost due to tobacco smoking. The estimated health care cost attributed to tobacco use in Kenya is US$396,107,364. Among TRIs included in the study, myocardial infarction had the highest health care cost at US$158,687,627, followed by peripheral arterial disease and stroke with health care cost of US$64,723,181 and US$44,746,700 respectively. The main cost driver across all the illnesses is the cost for medication accounting for over 90% of the total health care cost. The productivity losses from the diseases ranged between US$148 to US$360 and accounted for 27% to 48% of the economic costs. The total cost attributable to tobacco use to Kenya's economy for the selected TRIs was between US$544.74 million and US$756.22 million. Tobacco related illnesses impose a significant economic burden as reported for direct and indirect costs. These findings underscore the need for strengthened implementation of the provision of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Tobacco Control Act (2007) to facilitate a reduction in tobacco consumption in the population.

Electronic Medical Record and Smoking Cessation Activities: Literature Review

Vital information regarding the life and health of a patient is gathered in medical records. The electronic medical record (EMR) is the product of medical record information technology development. Electronic health records and other health information systems have the potential to be useful tools for raising the caliber and efficacy of clinical interventions aimed at reducing tobacco consumption. Electronic medical records are used by doctors, clinics, and health care organizations to track patient smoking cessation outcomes and as a smoking cessation support tool. Thirteen papers from the Google Schoolar database and the reference lists of the included research were used in the review. We looked for research that was written between 2010 and 2020. Overall, these trials discovered that only slight benefits were made by several doctor-recommended therapies related to tobacco use. Following modifications to electronic medical records intended to speed up the collection and management of tobacco use during medical visits, there seems to have been a rise in the documentation of tobacco status and referrals for cessation counseling. To maximize the potential of EMRs for extra therapeutic advantages and smoking cessation in hospital settings, more research is required.

Tobacco price elasticity by socioeconomic characteristics in Ecuador.

Smoking is a worldwide epidemic and increased prices are one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce tobacco consumption. This article aims to estimate the price and income elasticity of cigarettes for different population groups in Ecuador. The National Survey of Urban and Rural Household Income and Expenditures (ENIGHUR) 2011-2012 was used, which has information on household cigarette consumption and its sociodemographic characteristics. Deaton's Almost Ideal Demand System, which decouples the effect of quality on the price of the good, was applied. The elasticities were calculated for several groups: urban/rural, income levels (tertiles), education level, sex and age ranges of the household head, and frequency of cigarette purchases in households. The estimated price elasticity nationwide is -0.89 and the income elasticity is 0.41, both statistically significant. Households headed by women (-2.22) are more sensitive to an increase in cigarette prices than those headed by men (-0.65) and households headed by people between 20 and 40 years of age (-2.32) have a higher price elasticity compared to country-level estimations. Differences within other groups are not statistically significant.

The impact of tax and price reforms on companies’ prices in a complex cigarette tax system

ABSTRACT This study analyzes how changes in various aspects of excise tax systems, including minimum price laws and differential price tiers for excise taxation jointly rather than independently, influence firms’ pricing decisions. We apply our model to Indonesia, where the tobacco excise tax system is complex, with several excise tax tiers within and across cigarette types. We use a comprehensive database of prices over the past decade for all cigarettes manufactured and sold in Indonesia, obtained from Indonesian Customs. We find that the impact of excise taxes on prices hides important effects of other pricing policies that are typically ignored in research, which either focus on the independent impacts of excise tax or do not distinguish between cigarette types. Specifically, minimum price policies have a larger impact than excise taxes on pricing decisions for machine-made clove cigarettes (kretek), while excise tax changes have a larger effect on prices for machine-made, non-clove (white) cigarettes. For cigarette types and brands that are more likely to feature a relatively more elastic demand (hand-rolled kretek), companies keep prices close to the minimum price. The results imply that a multi-tiered tobacco excise tax system likely generates distortions that limit government policies’ effectiveness in reducing tobacco consumption.

Does higher tax rate affect tobacco usage? Unravelling the nexus between tobacco regulatory control and public health concern

ObjectivesBangladesh stands as a prominent global consumer of tobacco, with alarming consequences on public health. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey reported that tobacco consumption claimed over 126 000 lives in 2018, contributing to 13.5% of all deaths in the country. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation as control mechanisms in mitigating tobacco consumption and health care cost burden, with a particular emphasis on its implications for public health. MethodsThis study is based on the annual time series data over the period 2000–2020. The study employs the ordinary least square method to analyze the quantitative confirming the stationarity of data at level. This research uses different models to investigate individual effects and combined effects on both tobacco consumption and tobacco health care cost burden. ResultsThe study finds a negative relationship between tobacco tax rate and tobacco consumption. More specifically, the higher tax rate of tobacco (low (β = −0.3495), medium (β = −0.2319), high (β = −0.9033), premium (β = −0.7322), filtered (β = −0.2114), and non-filtered (β = −0.3452) categories) is significant to reduce tobacco use at 1% level of significance. The study finds similar results when it applied tobacco retail price instead of tobacco tax rate as the independent variable. Finally, the study investigates the impact on health care cost through tobacco consumption, tobacco control law, growth rate, export-import, and tobacco production. The results indicate that tobacco consumption, export-import, and tobacco production increases health care cost burden while tobacco use regulatory decreases it. By reducing tobacco consumption, higher taxes and tobacco use regulation contribute to alleviating the burden on the healthcare system, promoting healthier lifestyles, and aligning with global health objectives. ConclusionsHigher tax rate on tobacco products is necessary to increase the retail price so that tobacco users cannot consume tobacco. Specific tax and uniform tax base are needed so that tobacco users cannot switch to lower priced brands. Tobacco control laws need to revised and proper implementation should be ensured as well, to achieve the goal of tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040. Tobacco-related diseases, responsible for a significant proportion of deaths in the country, could witness a considerable decline with the successful implementation of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation. This study provides insights that not only contribute to the economic discourse but also accentuate the broader public health benefits arising from effective tobacco taxation policies.