‘Cigarettes are priority’: a qualitative study of how Australian socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers respond to rising cigarette prices: Table I.

Guillaumier, Ashleigh; Bonevski, Billie; Paul, Christine

doi:10.1093/her/cyv026

Cited by 35 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The Australian Government recently committed to continuing substantial annual tobacco tax increases over 2016–2019 so that the real price of a pack of cigarettes increases to at least $40/pack. For those smokers that continue to smoke in the face of rising cigarette prices, experiences of financial stress are likely to be exacerbated [9] and we know that financially stressed smokers are less likely to quit [4]. As such, more targeted cessation support approaches are needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In other social and political contexts, such as the UK, welfare for the most disadvantaged is being cut, leaving the poorest with lower incomes in real terms. While lower SES smokers are more likely to use price-minimising strategies to continue to afford tobacco [8], in the face of rising tobacco prices and increased cost of living, they are also likely to engage in behavior that further exacerbates their circumstances of deprivation [9]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians

Guillaumier

Twyman

Paul

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Financial stress is associated with fewer quit attempts and higher relapse rates. This study aimed to compare financial stress among smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers in a highly socioeconomically disadvantaged sample. The study also aimed to determine whether specific indicators of financial stress differ according to smoking status. Adult clients seeking welfare assistance from two Social and Community Service Organisation sites in New South Wales, Australia, were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey between March 2012 and December 2013. Responses to a financial stress scale, smoking status and demographics were collected. Linear and logistic regression modelling was used to examine associations between smoking status and financial stress. A total of 1463 participants completed the survey. Current smokers had significantly higher total financial stress scores than ex-smokers and non-smokers respectively. Current smokers also had higher odds of severe financial stress indicators, such as going without meals (Odds Ratio = 2.2 and 2.0), than both non-smokers and ex-smokers. Even among a highly socioeconomically disadvantaged sample with high levels of financial stress, smoking status further exacerbates experiences of deprivation. Given the relationship between financial stress, socioeconomic disadvantage and difficulty quitting, it is important to provide enhanced cessation support to smokers experiencing financial stress.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians

Guillaumier

Twyman

Paul

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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“…This will affect their spending power in other areas. 245 Government funding for school meals, the pupil premium, extracurricular clubs and activities, and social services is important so that smokers' children can reach their potential despite their parents' dependence on tobacco. In addition, addressing the stress of income insecurity (via insecure employment, housing and benefits) is important so that low-income smokers find it easier to quit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of tobacco tax increases and industry pricing on smoking behaviours and inequalities: a mixed-methods study

et al. 2020

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Background Increasing tobacco prices through taxation is very effective for reducing smoking prevalence and inequalities. For optimum effect, understanding how the tobacco industry and smokers respond is essential. Tobacco taxation changes occurred in the UK over the study period, including annual increases, a shift in structure from ad valorem to specific taxation and relatively higher increases on roll-your-own tobacco than on factory-made cigarettes. Objectives Understanding tobacco industry pricing strategies in response to tax changes and the impact of tax on smokers’ behaviour, including tax evasion and avoidance, as well as the effect on smoking inequalities. Synthesising findings to inform how taxation can be improved as a public health intervention. Design Qualitative analysis and evidence synthesis (commercial and Nielsen data) and longitudinal and aggregate cross-sectional analyses (International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project data). Setting The UK, from 2002 to 2016. Data sources and participants Data were from the tobacco industry commercial literature and retail tobacco sales data (Nielsen, New York, NY, USA). Participants were a longitudinal cohort (with replenishment) of smokers and ex-smokers from 10 surveys of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (around 1500 participants per survey). Main outcome measures (1) Tobacco industry pricing strategies, (2) sales volumes and prices by segments over time and (3) smokers’ behaviours, including products purchased, sources, brands, consumption, quit attempts, success and sociodemographic differences. Review methods Tobacco industry commercial literature was searched for mentions of tobacco products and price segments, with 517 articles extracted. Results The tobacco industry increased prices on top of tax increases (overshifting), particularly on premium products, and, recently, the tobacco industry overshifted more on cheap roll-your-own tobacco than on factory-made cigarettes. Increasingly, price rises were from industry revenue generation rather than tax. The tobacco industry raised prices gradually to soften impact; this was less possible with larger tax increases. Budget measures to reduce cheap product availability failed due to new cheap factory-made products, price marking and small packs. In 2014, smokers could buy factory-made (roll-your-own tobacco) cigarettes at real prices similar to 2002. Exclusive roll-your-own tobacco and mixed factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco use increased, whereas exclusive factory-made cigarette use decreased, alongside increased cheap product use, rather than quitting. Quitting behaviours were associated with higher taxes. Smokers consumed fewer factory-made cigarettes and reduced roll-your-own tobacco weight over time. Apparent illicit purchasing did not increase. Disadvantaged and dependent smokers struggled with tobacco affordability and were more likely to smoke cheaper products, but disadvantage did not affect quit success. Limitations Different for each data set; triangulation increased confidence. Conclusions The tobacco industry overshifted taxes and increased revenues, even when tax increases were high. Therefore, tobacco taxes can be further increased to reduce price differentials and recoup public health costs. Government strategies on illicit tobacco appear effective. Large, sudden tax increases would reduce the industry’s ability to manipulate prices, decrease affordability and increase quitting behaviours. More disadvantaged, and dependent, smokers need more help with quitting. Future work Assessing the impact of tax changes made since 2014; changing how tax changes are introduced (e.g. sudden intermittent or smaller continuous); and tax changes on tobacco initiation. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 8, No. 6. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

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“…Where the reactions of specific groups of smokers to tobacco control policies have been examined, the primary focus has been on: (i) those experiencing financial disadvantage rather than other forms of disadvantage; and (ii) individual policies rather than the suite of policies currently in place (mainly tobacco taxes and plain packaging) . The results relating to smokers’ reactions to taxes indicate that lower‐income smokers are more likely than higher‐income smokers to change their smoking behaviours in response to the higher cost of tobacco.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results relating to smokers’ reactions to taxes indicate that lower‐income smokers are more likely than higher‐income smokers to change their smoking behaviours in response to the higher cost of tobacco. However, tobacco tax increases can cause some smokers on lower incomes to reduce their essential spending to enable them to maintain their smoking levels, and many find ways to minimise the cost of their smoking such as by smoking less and switching to roll‐your‐own cigarettes . Roll‐your‐own cigarettes can be viewed by smokers as a more cost‐effective alternative because they are taxed according to the assumption that each stick contains the same amount of tobacco as a tailor‐made cigarette, but they are often made using much less tobacco which makes them cheaper per stick.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study

Parnell

Box

Biagioni

et al. 2018

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Introduction and Aims. Despite substantial reductions in smoking prevalence in many countries, rates remain high among people who are experiencing disadvantage. This study aimed to explore attitudinal and behavioural responses to populationwide tobacco control policies among Australian smokers experiencing disadvantage. Design and Methods. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 84 smokers attending community service organisations in the mental health, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug sectors. Interviewees discussed various tobacco control policies (tobacco taxes, smoke-free areas, plain packaging and graphic health warnings). The interview transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed.Results. Responses to tobacco taxes were mixed. Some interviewees reported smoking less as a result of price increases, while others reallocated funds from other budget areas. Many perceived smoke-free area policies as effective, although some described strategies they use to circumvent this policy, thereby diminishing its effectiveness. Plain packaging and graphic warnings were perceived as being least effective. Discussion and Conclusions. While tobacco control policies can elicit intended attitudinal and behavioural responses, additional efforts are needed to enhance their effectiveness among smokers experiencing disadvantage. Future efforts to reduce smoking rates should address responses that diminish policy effectiveness among groups exhibiting high smoking prevalence. This could be achieved through strategies that address the specific needs of these groups, such as providing additional cessation support, enforcing existing smoke-free policies in ways that minimise inequitable effects, and addressing self-exempting beliefs. [Parnell A, Box E, Biagioni N, Bonevski B, Coffin J, Slevin T, Anwar-McHenry J, Pettigrew S. Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019;38:92-100]

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‘Cigarettes are priority’: a qualitative study of how Australian socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers respond to rising cigarette prices: Table I.

Cited by 35 publications

References 29 publications

Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians

Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians

Impact of tobacco tax increases and industry pricing on smoking behaviours and inequalities: a mixed-methods study

Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study

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